Cola nut trees

[Cindy Adair]

I enjoy learning about the plants used in our everyday lives and growing as many of them as I can. Thus everyone who's ever had a coke owes thanks to this strange fruit which I'd never seen until a few years ago. Now I have several flowering trees which are very ornamental fast growing evergreens. Mine have yet to fruit, but the fruit pictured here (given to me by a friend)easily yielded more trees from planting the bright pink seeds. No, I haven't planted coca, the other part of coca cola's name, since I try to keep from being arrested.

[ariscott]

No... I don't grow them... but if you can find Cola gigantea... it is absolutely amazing tree.. If you look in the travel log section and find my last trip away, I posted a link to Singapore Botanical garden. You can see the tree among the photos... It blew me away!!!

Regards, Ari

[carver]

Interesting tree, how is the fruit? You got to love a tree with a story behind it. Any idea were to find some seeds of my own?

I picked up a cocao at the last big local plant show and it has really taken off, can't wait for my first fruit. Though I'm sure I'm years away.

[Cindy Adair]

No... I don't grow them... but if you can find Cola gigantea... it is absolutely amazing tree.. If you look in the travel log section and find my last trip away, I posted a link to Singapore Botanical garden. You can see the tree among the photos... It blew me away!!!

Regards, Ari

Ari, Thank you so much for sharing all your Singapore photos! I missed these previously and they are fantastic. In fact, I spent so long looking at them I need to rush to get ready for work (to earn money to buy plants..).

I DO want a Cola gigantea. In fact I need to work harder to buy more land to put all the great trees I'd like to grow.

Carver, I don't know where to find seeds except from the gentleman in Puerto Rico who gave me the fruit. If he gives me more (or my own trees make fruit from all the flowers) I'll let you know and mail you some.

[paulgila]

cola nut tree? i dont believe it.

i suppose that next you'll want me to believe that chocolate grows on trees,too.

[ariscott]

LOL... yes, Paul, they do. I grow them

Regards, Ari

[aussiearoids]

I am growing a Cola tree , it was grown by a mate who bought the seeds in a small shop in France selling specialist African foods .

My tree is only a meter or so tall and should grow a lot more this wet season .

Another friend in town here in Tully has a much larger tree that flowered very recently .

Sadly no fruits set , but heres hoping next year . His tree came from Alan Carles 'Botanic Ark collection in Whyanbeel . Spoke to him about Cola nuts recently , and many spp. are used .

Imagine making your own 'boost juuice' with fresh Acai & cola and whatever takes your fancy .

[ariscott]

Are they easy to find, Michael? Or even seeds??

Regards, Ari

[Eric in Orlando]

I had a Cola nitida growing outdoors here for 2 years, suvived low to mid 30sF with no problem. It was killed last winter with our long cool/cold spell. It was almost 6ft tall.

[aussiearoids]

This can be grown from cuttings Ari , some been offered on feebay by a mate . Should have fruits in the next year at Cams in town here .

My tree has grown well over winter and is now nearly 2m .

[Cindy Adair]

This can be grown from cuttings Ari , some been offered on feebay by a mate . Should have fruits in the next year at Cams in town here .

My tree has grown well over winter and is now nearly 2m .

Great to know that cuttings can work. Our largest tree is maybe 20 feet tall, but no fruit yet. Thanks!