Image – Wikimedia / Bidgee
The jacaranda is a spectacular flowering tree widely used in gardens and to decorate the streets of cities and towns. Growing to a maximum height of 20 meters, it is ideal for protection from the sun during the summer.
In addition, it is very grateful, being able to live in both tropical and temperate climates. Would you like to know what the care of the jacaranda tree is?
Origin and characteristics of the jacaranda
Before entering the subject, it is interesting first to know a little about its origin and its main characteristics, since it can help us to take better care of it. Well, our protagonist is a deciduous or semi-deciduous tree native to South America that reaches a height of 12 to 15 metersalthough it can reach 20 meters.
Its trunk acquires a somewhat crooked shape, measures 6 to 9 meters high, and has a thickness of about 40 to 70 centimeters. The crown can be umbrella type, others pyramidal, but never dense. The leaves are bipinnate, with a length of 30 to 50 centimeters, green in color. The flowers appear in spring, grouped in terminal panicles of 20 to 30 centimeters, and of a blue-violet color.. The fruits are woody capsules of about 6 centimeters that contain winged seeds.
What care does the jacaranda tree need?
If you want to know how to take care of it, follow our advice:
Location
In order for your jacaranda to grow healthy and strong, it is necessary to place it in an area where it can develop without problems. In this sense, it is important to know that its roots could lift pavementsTherefore, they should be planted at least 10m from any type of construction and irrigation system.
Also, keep in mind that it can only have an excellent development if it is in direct sunlight, ideally throughout the day. And, if the wind tends to blow a lot in your area, it is worth tying it to a stake to prevent strong air currents from damaging it, especially if it is a young tree.
Irrigation
The jacaranda tree needs frequent watering, especially during the summer and / or if the weather is already very dry. So that, It will be watered every 3-4 days in summer, and every 5-6 the rest of the year. For this, you can use any type of water, but it is recommended to always try to water with rainwater or, if you cannot get it, fill a bucket and let it rest overnight.
Subscriber
If we talk about the subscriber, from spring to summer (or autumn if the weather is mild, without frost), it can be fertilized with mineral or liquid organic fertilizerssuch as guano, algae extract, etc., following the recommendations described on the packaging of the product that we have purchased.
Multiplication
Image – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jacaranda multiplies by seeds in spring (It can also be done in autumn if the weather is mild), following this step by step:
- First, fill a seedling tray or pots of about 10,5cm in diameter with universal substrate mixed with 30% perlite or similar.
- Then, water thoroughly, moistening the entire substrate well.
- Then, place a couple of seeds on the surface of the substrate, ensuring that they are separated from each other. They should not be put on more since otherwise they could run the risk that some would die.
- Next, sprinkle a little copper or sulfur powder over the seeds so that the fungi do not damage them and cover them with a thin layer of substrate.
- Finally, place the seedbed outside, in full sun.
Keeping the substrate moist but not flooded, they will germinate in about 15-20 days.
Pests
It is quite sturdy in general, but new flowers and shoots are vulnerable to aphids. These are tiny insects, about 0,5 cm long, green, yellow, brown or black, that feed on the sap of plants.
They are seen a lot, especially in hot and dry springs and summers, so it will be in those seasons when the jacaranda must be watched a little. In the event that there are some, we will deal with them with diatomaceous earth, or if you prefer with a yellow sticky trap (on sale here!).
Diseases
Sensitive to mushrooms if overwatered. You have to avoid excess irrigation, and flooding.
Pruning
It’s not necesary. As the tree grows, it acquires its typical globose shape, wide enough to provide very good shade.
Rusticity
The jacaranda mimosifolia it resists frosts down to -7ºC. Depending on how cold the winter is and how exposed you are to the wind, you may lose all or just some of the leaves.
For example, in areas where the annual minimum temperature is 2 degrees, you will most likely only lose a few leaves.
What did you think of the jacaranda? Did you know it was such a pretty tree? If you dare to have one, just tell you that we hope you enjoy your plant 😉.
