Sesbania

Family. Legumes.

Origin. Argentina, Brazil.

Description. Sesbanias are large shrubs or small trees with erect, branched stems. The leaves are green, compound, 20 - 30 cm long, arranged alternately, consisting of 10 - 20 pairs of oval leaflets up to 3 cm long. Flowers of bright colors - white, yellow, orange or red, typical of representatives of the legume family, are collected in few-flowered, drooping inflorescences. After flowering, the plant forms oblong pods with rounded peas - seeds, which make a rattling sound when dry.

Height. It grows quickly, reaching 8 m in its natural environment; in cultivation, the height is regulated by pruning.

Growing

Temperature conditions

Regular room temperature is suitable; in the winter months, keep it cool - at a temperature of 5 - 10 ° C. When exposed to lower temperatures, the plant may shed its leaves. 

Lighting

Bright lighting promotes abundant and long-lasting flowering, but it is worth shading from direct sunlight during the daytime. Can be grown in partial shade, but flowering will be less noticeable. During the winter dormant period, lighting does not play any role. 

Care

Sesbania, like many members of the family, fixes nitrogen in root nodules, so adult specimens need additional feeding with potassium and phosphorus, but not nitrogen. Trim long shoots in the summer to give the bush a neat, compact shape. The flower will appreciate being outdoors during the warm season.

Substrate

Quite a hardy plant. It can grow in fairly poor soils, but prefers fertile, moist, well-drained soils with a slightly alkaline pH.

Feeding

Apply low-nitrogen fertilizers monthly during the growing season. 

Flowering time

The buds are formed over a long period of time - from spring to autumn. Only adult specimens aged 6 to 20 years bloom.

Air humidity

Spray periodically if the air in the room becomes too dry. 

Soil moisture

Needs a lot of water when in bloom. During the winter dormant period, watering is reduced.

Transplant

Sesbania is replanted every spring, as it grows, into larger pots. For large tub bushes, change the top layer of soil in the spring, annually.

Reproduction

Propagated by cuttings or seeds. Young seedlings will need a long period of time for the first flowering. The seeds are pre-soaked in warm water for a day. For this reason, gardeners prefer bushes obtained by cuttings or grafting - they bloom at the age of 4 - 5 years. Reproduction by layering of branches is also possible.

Pests and diseases

With an excess of nitrogen fertilizers, sesbania abundantly increases green mass to the detriment of flowering. Leaf spots, viral diseases.

Of the harmful insects, the main danger is aphids and scale insects.  

Note

With age, plants can become unsightly - they can be subjected to radical anti-aging pruning.