Anyone Growing Mesua ferrea?

[Jerry@TreeZoo]

This is a really neat looking tree. I have not seen it flower but even the new flush of leaves is fantastic. Mine is only a little over 3 feet tall and is very slow. Sources say it gets up to 100 feet tall, I would think that would take a century to get there.

[Eric in Orlando]

That is nice!

I saw a tree at Fairchild that was similar looking, Diospyros malabarica

[ariscott]

I do... but my tree is still small... the new growth is not as red as yours though... I think it is because mine gets a lot of sun. Very slow growing... you are right...

Regards, Ari

[Jerry@TreeZoo]

Ari,

I don't think sun is the factor for so much red new growth as mine is in full sun most of the day. I have neglected it fertilizer wise also. Is yours bigger or smaller than mine? This is the best mine has looked in its three years.

[ariscott]

I think mine is a little bit smaller than yours.... probably only 2 feet. It did have a hard life in the first year.... it has been stuck in pots for years (not at my place), and then I put it straight in the sun... so it did nothing for a year.... and now is looking happier finally.... It did have new growth on it the other day, but I think now they are all green already...

Regards, Ari

[popper1]

Mine is also in full sun, the new rred leaves are awesome. I get about 5 or 6 growth flushes/year.

[Eric in Orlando]

Any sources for this? Its a nice looking tree.

[Justin]

Yeah, I'd be interested in a source as well.

[Jerry@TreeZoo]

I know Dolores Fugina used to have a gorgeous looking tree in a large can. 15 or 20 gallon? She might have smaller ones. The Tropical Towering Flea Society should have somebody growing it.

Eric, If David is growing it successfully in Polk County, you should definately be growing it at Leu.

Jerry

[fastfeat]

Mesua ferrea is typically available at TFTS sales at Fairchild (May and November) by several vendors. Jesse Durko (in Davie) typically has it; Dolores Fugina (Bloomin' Good, in Homestead) and Gardino's (Delray Beach) probably also grow.

[Eric in Orlando]

Thanks!!! I will have to try to get one next time I am in SoFL

[Scott Cohen]

Never seen one 100ft, but Robert Barnum in homestead has one thats at least 30 and god knows how old. Eric i have a bunch of smaller ones if your ever in the miami area. How are those chorisia grafts doing btw?

[Eric in Orlando]

Thanks Scott!

They are growing great. Can't wait until next fall. After another good summer of growth hopefully most will flower next fall.

the triple hybrid we have, (C. insignis x C. speciosa)x C. chodatii, is flowering so incredibly this year. It started in late Sept. with a few flowers, was in full bloom in Oct. into Nov., had just about finished and now had been flowering heavily again. It was planted in Jan. 2003 and is about 20ft tall now but developing a very thich trunk. It is a great hybrid. The flowers are white with a yellow throat and some pink markings on some but fade to a creamy yellow with a brown throat after a few days. Not sure who developed this, it was donated by the Central Fl Flowering Tree Society.