Jacaranda

Family. Bignoniaceae.

Where does grow? Argentina, Bolivia.

Description. Jacaranda - a large deciduous tree or shrub with thin, feathery leaves resembling a fern. The leaves have about 20 pairs of segments, the length of the leaves reaches 40 cm. From April to June, jacaranda is covered with spectacular tubular flowers with a diameter of about 4 cm, collected in large apical panicles. Each inflorescence bears from 40 to 90 flowers. The flowers are usually in shades of blue and are fragrant. There are varieties with pink or white flowers.

Height. Under natural conditions it reaches a height of 12 - 15 m. Plants cultivated at home rarely exceed 1 m in height. 

Jacaranda at home

Growing 

Can be placed outdoors in summer. Young trees that should form 1 trunk must be pruned in the spring. Remove faded inflorescences and old branches. 

When does the jacaranda bloom? 

In spring and early summer, very rarely in cultivation.

Soil 

Well-drained soil with a high sand content with a pH of 5.5 - 6.5. A mixture of equal parts peat and garden soil is suitable. Adapts well to most soil types. 

Reproduction

Cuttings 13 - 15 cm long, in summer. Dip the base of the cutting in rooting powder and place in a moist mixture of peat and sand. Cover the seedlings with a transparent plastic cap or glass and place in a warm place with a temperature of 21 - 25 ° C without access to direct sunlight. Seeds, but this process will take several years. Jacaranda seeds do not germinate well and need to be pre-soaked for 24 hours in warm water. 

Containment temperature

Normal room temperature all year round. If you want to give this plant a dormant period, place it in a cool room with a temperature of about 16 °C. Do not expose the tree to temperatures below 7 °C.

Lighting

At least 3 or 4 hours of direct sun per day in the morning or evening hours. When grown in partial shade, flowering will be less abundant.

Fertilizers

Feed with liquid fertilizer every two weeks throughout the growing season. Stop feeding during the dormant period and resume when new growth begins the following season.

Spraying

Spray the foliage or place the potted plant on a tray of damp pebbles. 

Watering

Keep the soil evenly moist year-round, and never allow the soil ball to dry out. In winter, reduce watering - let the top layer of soil dry before the next watering. 

Jacaranda transplant 

Every spring in a larger pot. In adult large plants, it is enough to replace the top layer of soil with fresh one.

Pests and diseases

Leaves turn yellow when overwatered; allow the surface of the soil to dry out between waterings. During transplantation, pay attention to drainage. The tips of the leaves dry out if the air in the room is too dry. When water stagnates, root rot may occur.

Pests that may appear include red spider mites, aphids and whiteflies, and scale insects. 

Purpose

Can be used in cultivation as a bonsai.

Note

Lives a very long time indoors when grown in the right conditions. The plant, however, becomes less beautiful with age, as the stem becomes bare at the bottom.

Разновидности:

Jacaranda mimosifolia