Ceiba: an imposing tree | Gardening On

In tropical and humid regions around the world we can find impressive plants, such as the I get. This imposing tree can reach a height of up to 10 meters, and a trunk thickness of up to 4 meters at its base.

They are much loved in gardens, as they have really decorative flowers. In addition, they provide a very pleasant shade, and do not require much care.

Origin and characteristics of the Ceiba

The Ceiba, also called pochote, is a botanical genus of trees native to Central America. It belongs to the Malvaceae family. Most of the 21 species it comprises are large trees, with palm leaves made up of 5 to 9 green leaflets.

The flowers can be grouped in inflorescences or solitary, and are hermaphroditic. These appear before the tree runs out of its leaf parts, and are commonly pollinated by butterflies, bats, or hummingbirds. The fruit is a woody capsule inside which are the seeds, which are rounded and wrapped in a cottony fiber.

They grow in forests where there is a season marked by drought. However, in cultivation they have been shown to be very adaptable and resistant treesbeing able to plant in tropical gardens where they will give a very good shade during the hottest time of the year.

Main species

We have said that the genus is made up of about 21 species, but the best known and, therefore, commercialized are the following:

Seiba fucking

It is known as white-flowered palo borracho or yuchán, and it is a deciduous tree endemic to Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Peru and Ecuador that reaches a height of 5 to 23 meters. The trunk begins to branch from the end, forming an open and rounded crown composed of thick branches. Its leaves are alternate, palm-composed of 5 leaflets.

The flowers are grouped in creamy white inflorescences, 8 to 15cm long. The fruit is a large capsule inside which contains black seeds.

kapok pentandra

It is known as ceiba or ceibo, and it is a deciduous tree native to the Mesoamerican region that reaches a height of 60 to 70 meters with a trunk up to 3 meters thick. The crown is very wide, formed by branches from which palmate leaves made up of 5 to 9 leaflets sprout.

The flowers are solitary or fasciculate, with pink, white or yellow petals. The fruit is a capsule that contains numerous black seeds.

ceiba speciosa

Known as palo borracho, bottle tree, wool tree, rosewood, or samohú, it is a deciduous tree native to Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil, and by its other scientific name Chorisia is beautiful. It reaches a height of 10 to 20 meters, although it can exceed 25 meters. The trunk is acquiring the shape of a bottle, and is protected with thick stingers. The leaves are compound, and it has 5 to 7 leaflets.

The flowers are large, creamy white in the center and pink in the distal area. The fruit is an ovoid capsule that contains numerous black seeds.

What are their cares?

This is a tree that needs a lot of room to growso if you have a large plot of land and you are looking for a decorative plant that is easy to care for, the Ceiba is for you. Not sure what you need to look healthy? Do not worry. We tell you everything you need to know to take care of it. Take note:

Location

To your plant you should place it in an area where it receives sunlight all day for excellent growth and development. In addition, it is very important that it is at a minimum distance of ten meters, since its roots can cause problems if they are near pipes, paved floors, etc.

Earth

• the garden: without soil requirements, but prefers well-drained land rich in organic matter.
• Flower pot: we recommend filling it with a porous substrate in order to avoid waterlogging.

Irrigation

They are trees that want water, but not too much. The frequency of irrigation should be moderatethat is, two-three times a week in summer and one-two times a week the rest of the year.

Water thoroughly, moistening all the soil or substrate well. And do not wet the leaves or flowers as they could burn.

Fertilizer

It is highly advisable to fertilize with organic fertilizers such as guano or worm castings throughout the growing season (from spring to early fall).

Ceiba tree multiplication

Ceiba trees multiply by seeds and cuttings in spring:

Seeds

The seeds have to be placed in a glass with water at room temperature for 24 hours, and the next day they have to be sown in a pot -with holes in its base- with soil for seedlings (for sale here!) so that they are as far apart as possible. In this way, the ideal is not to put more than 3 seeds in a container of up to 20cm in diameterWell, this way everyone will have the same possibilities to grow and have a good development.

Do not bury them too much: a little is enough, so that they are not very exposed to environmental factors (wind, direct sunlight, etc.), and finally water.

If all goes well, in about 15 to 20 days they will germinate.

Cuttings

To multiply the ceiba by cuttings you have to cut a branch of about 40 centimeters, impregnate the base with homemade rooting agents and plant it (not nail it) in a pot with vermiculite previously moistened with water.

Place it in semi-shade, and go watering every time you see that the substrate is drying. In about 20-25 days it will start to root.

Planting or transplanting time

It has to be planted in springwhen the minimum temperature is at least 15ºC. If you have it in a pot, transplant it every 2-3 years, when you see roots coming out of the drainage holes or if you see that its roots have already occupied the entire container.

Rusticity of the ceibas

It depends on the species. Ceiba trees are tropical trees that resist cold well, but frost hurts them. The most rustic is the ceiba speciosawhich withstands temperatures down to -7ºC.

Uses of pochote

They have several:

• Ornamental: without a doubt it is the use that is given the most. As isolated specimens in spacious gardens they are great, since they also provide very good shade.
• Culinary: the immature fruits, seeds and roots of some species, such as kapok pentandrathey are edible.
• As filler: the fibrous tissue that the fruits have is used to fill pillows.
• Wood: The wood from the trunk is used to make furniture.

Enjoy your Ceiba 🙂.