The Latest Detailed Tutorial on Silk Tree Flower Cultivation Techniques and Methods
The silk tree flower has pink filaments and flat pods, and is a city street tree and ornamental tree. The heartwood is yellowish-gray-brown, the sapwood is yellowish-white, durable, and mostly used for making furniture; the young leaves are edible, and the old leaves can be used for washing clothes; the bark is used medicinally and has a deworming effect. It also has a calming effect, mainly for treating stagnation of qi and chest tightness, insomnia and forgetfulness, nourishing yin and tonifying yang, eye diseases, neurasthenia, and other conditions. As an ornamental, in the past there were only small-flowered varieties, but now there are large and beautiful varieties.
Growth Habits
A light-loving tree species, slightly shade-tolerant. Tolerant of dry and poor soil, it is suitable for fertile, moist, well-drained sandy loam and limestone mountain areas. It is not tolerant of waterlogging and has strong cold resistance. It grows quickly, has low branching, and is a shallow-rooted tree species. Its sprouting ability is weak, its branches are sparse, and it is not tolerant of pruning.
Propagation Methods
Propagate by sowing seeds. Sowing can be done in spring and autumn. Before sowing, soak the seeds in 35°C warm water for 24 hours, sow them in shallow pots in holes, cover with 1--2 cm of soil, water by the immersion method, keep moist, and under 15--20°C conditions, seedlings emerge after 7--10 days. When the seedlings are 5 cm tall, pot them up. When collecting seeds, select robust mother plants, strengthen management, and collect them as they ripen during the fruiting period; the pods will split open automatically when mature.
Cultivation Techniques
There are no special requirements for care and management. It can be cultivated in general soil. It does not need much fertilizer during the growing period; applying diluted liquid fertilizer 2--3 times is enough. Fertilizer should not be excessive; it is sufficient for the leaves to be green and the growth robust. Do not let it grow leggy, because the sensitive plant is mainly a novelty foliage flower and is best kept small.
The planting technique for silk tree flowers is simple, and management is extensive. It is not strict about climate, sunlight, or soil requirements, but fertile, loose sandy loam is best, and it prefers a warm, humid environment.