Use this forum to discuss matters relating to xeric plants, which do not fit under any of our established categories, or to discuss issues of a general nature that bear relevance across multiple categories.
Anyone here grow this? Or know a forum where people discuss? I have Qs.
My cussonia paniculata sinuata was a 5' tall approx 5 yr old tree with one trunk when it decided to flower this year. A friend told me it would die after this? Perhaps cutting it back would save it? I do see a leaf or two at the base. San Marcos growers says " The main trunk is usually unbranched in youth and then only branching after first flowering."
And it appears to have seeds forming - must be self fertile!
Die? Its still got another 10' of growth left. Nice trunk. Be careful it does not stay too wet in winter...they can rot from that. Otherwise they just get better as they age.
I had one for years..with blue-silver leaves. A beauty. Something girdled it at ground level.
One thing Xanthy..You might look for Tillandsia to mount on that nice cork like bark. The species that are found growing on cactus in the desert would be perfect,but I think almost any would do well since we have to water anyways in summer.
That's a popular small tree here in SA it's indigenous to our summer rainfall areas. They always branch after flowering so definitely will not die.Some people like to remove the flower as soon as possible to speed up the branching process or you can enjoy it while it flowers and then sets seed.
I have a cussonia paniculata that’s about 9 yrs old and one stem, a ten yr old multi trunked 15’ tall cussonia spicata that’s flowered before, and a cussonia transvaalensis in a 15g pot. Just got 6 more 5g paniculata for the city gardens. I’m really into the genus.
Stan I’ve never had luck with tillandsias. What’s a good one to try near the coast?
That's it,I had C.spicata in silvery blue. What a great plant that was,and i lost it to girdling. That was even before gophers took over. I'm sure they would have eaten the roots. That empty lot was once rental cottages. Never had gophers or possums or raccoons when people lived there. Now,its them and lizards,garter snakes and Hawks like never before.
I think Xanthoria,T.bergeri is best bet for the bay area. Tillandsia flexuosa grows all over cacti in S.A. I read. T.exerta is another cactus lover. but for the Cussonia any of the common types like little T.ionantha would look great. Problem is,some look like they would do great...then become large trailers not exactly what you want.
Tony! We need much more participation from you!. Your natives are our exotics. I request photos of Kumara plicatilis in giant sizes- I once saw a photo of one that was tree sized...could walk under it in a garden.
Also, 9' is the tallest Jade plant I've ever seen and I know bigger are in S.A. one of those photos too.
Cycads? Always. Aloes,always. Some of those rare S.A. flowering trees and tree shrubs,very few of those to be found on the net.
Bulbs...Cyathea greggii...other ferns.
Kumara plicatilis is a sad story. They are being stripped from our local mountains literally hacked to pieces for cuttings.The guys then root the cuttings and export them as nursery grown plants.Ten years ago you could see them in bloom from the highway now you would need to do some pretty strenuous hiking to get to them.
wow,Never heard anything about that. I would like to see photos of them. At least the adult plants are not poached...just going to take more rangers to protect them. Not that we here are not under strong duress in the USA to boost how -to's, because of the present government.
You paint a picture.
I think half of what I have is South African and then Mexico is another big chunk of the dry plants. Australia is in the running.
But thanks for the answer and I think we would all love to see more plants in habitat or nurseries,S.A. gardens. Funny we were drooling over hybrid South African Aloes bred in Australia a couple of years ago and wonder if they are available in S.A. since they don't seem to be seen here.
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Sprouts
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Well good news - the cussonia appears to be sprouting new growth from mid trunk. Berries are ripening (eventually turning dark purple, almost black) so we will see if they can be harvested and started (any tips?)
Update on this is that I harvested a carrier bag full of berries and gave them to Flora Grubb gardens for them to grow on at their wholesale wing (Grubb & Nadler) More cussonias for everyone!
Then I chopped the top off harvesting. A number of sprouts started below the flower spike and they have now taken off.
The above plant is growing fast with half a dozen branches vs the original single trunk. I was delighted when my original Cussonia paniculata ( not sinuata like the above) started flowering a couple of months ago. I was hoping for lots of berries so I could have more of that species as I really like it.
Unfortunately what happened was the flowers kind of petered out, and the entire top of the plant fell off during a rain storm a month ago. I thought the plan was dead for sure as the top was rotten. However, it’s sprouting!
So, no seeds but at least the plant itself is not dead.
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That rough trunk would be a great home for Tillandsias. Full bay area sun is fine for them. Just a little spray watering is all they need. Fertilizer? Never.
