Image – zimbabweflora.co.zw
In Africa we find singular plantswho have adapted to living in a climate that may be too hostile for life. On this continent, we find the great Sahara desert where there is hardly any life, but in the south and near the rivers are the remains of what must have been an impressive tropical forest 55 centuries ago.
One of those magnificent plants is the African hearta tree that has been used by the aborigines in the manufacture of drums, and that has some really beautiful flowers.
Characteristics of Cordia africana
Image – tropical.theferns.info
Our protagonist is a native tree, as his own surname indicates, from Africa. It can be found in Senegal, Mali, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, the Congo and on the island of Madagascar, from 500 to 2700 meters above sea level. It is a plant that, if the right conditions are met, it can grow one meter per year to 10-15 meters.
It is a very beautiful plant, with a more or less straight trunk and parasol crownwhich allows you to protect yourself from the sun during the warmer months. Its flowers appear in groups of more than 10so seeing it bloom is quite an experience . In addition, it blooms from 3 years of age.
How do you take care of yourself?
Image – tropical.theferns.info
It is a very rare species, but sometimes you can find seeds or seedlings for sale on the Internet. If you have been lucky, follow our advice to have your copy of African heart:
- Location: outside, in full sun.
- Irrigation: moderate, every 2-3 days in summer, and every 3-4 days the rest of the year.
- Soil or substrate: it must have very good drainage to prevent the roots from rotting. If you are going to have it in a pot, you can use sandy substrates (pumice, akadama, or similar).
- Subscriber: in spring and summer it must be paid with mineral fertilizers, such as Nitrofoska.
- Multiplication: by seeds in spring-summer. Direct sowing in seedbed.
- Rusticity: it can withstand frosts down to -1ºC.
What do you think?
