The Ultimate Guide to Growing and Caring for Jacaranda Tree
The first time you set your eyes on a jacaranda tree, you will be overwhelmed by the beauty and freshness in the surrounding. It is a tree that decorates the environment with its lavender purple flows. And what strikes your mind next is how you can have the same plant on your compound where you will enjoy the view daily. The important question you should ask yourself is where you can get the ultimate guide to growing and caring for a jacaranda tree to ensure everything is done correctly and at the right time. Therefore, read on if you are interested in learning more about growing and caring for a jacaranda tree.
Climate
Typically, jacarandas can do well anywhere in subtropical, tropical, and mild climates as long as there is no frost. They also do well in temperate climates, but you must pay attention and take good care of them during winter. They are commonly grown in Australia and are widely spread in South-Eastern Queensland but can also be found in other states. The tree requires humidity and light, even though you should be careful not to scald it when it is too hot.
Soil
According to Lawn.com.au, jacaranda grows in well-drained sandy soil. The PH of the soil should also be slightly acidic. And apart from sandy soil, they can also blossom in loamy soils but cannot do well in soil types that retain moisture, making them dumpy and heavy. Dumped or waterlogged soils are discouraged for use because they increase the risk of your tree developing fungal problems or root rot.
Location
Planting your jacaranda tree in the right location allows it to blossom and bloom. You are supposed to plant the tree where it has full access to sunlight, usually for about six to eight hours a day. Doing so allows your tree to produce vibrant and attractive flowers. It is also essential to consider the space, especially when planting a full jacaranda tree. Placement is also essential because you are advised to avoid planting it near water lines, drain paths, or swimming pools.
The main reason is that the jacaranda plant contains a vigorous root system sensitive to root rot and fungal problems. Therefore, if you want to plant a jacaranda tree in your garden, you are encouraged to consult a professional gardening service to guide you through how to prepare before planting. The specialists ensure all the requirements are met before planting so your jacaranda tree can grow and thrive in the best conditions.
Nutrition and fertilizer
After planting your jacaranda tree, you are advised to feed with tree fertilizer once each year. According to The Spruce, the most preferred fertilizer ratio is 10-10-10 NPK. And if you fertilize the grass underneath the tree, there is a greater chance that your jacaranda tree is getting sufficient nitrogen.
How to grow a jacaranda tree
There are two major ways of growing or propagating a jacaranda tree. According to Garden Love to Know, that is, through seeds or softwood. Even though of importance to note is that sed-grown trees usually take a while before producing flowers. It can take up to twenty years before flowers start forming on your jacaranda tree. On the other hand, trees propagated through softwood cuttings grow within a few years after planting, but it depends on the size of the cutting used for propagation. Below is a guide on how to go about growing a jacaranda tree using either seeds or softwood cuttings.
Planting seeds
Planting your jacaranda tree using seeds involves the following steps: Start by selecting fully ripe jacaranda seed pods from the tree, usually brown. The brown pods are usually easy to open, giving you access to the round jacaranda tree seeds. You then plant the seeds in gallon containers to give the seeds enough space to grow without requiring transplantation. Doing so saves the time and labor needed to transplant the seedlings into containers for further growth after sprouting in the seedbed.
Fill your container with well-drained clay or loam soil to ensure the seeds get enough air and moisture for germination. Plant the seeds in the container approximately one inch deep into the soil, especially at the center, to grant enough space for sprouting. After covering your seed with soil, water the container to supply your seed with moisture, and after four to five weeks, the seed sprouts are ready for planting on your land.
Planting softwood cuttings
In most cases, softwood cuttings are used when you want to have a blooming jacaranda tree faster. Softwood cutting is taken when the tree is dormant and not vegetative. It involves the following: Start trimming a branch from the main tree around two to four feet long. The cut should be a slant towards the end that will come into contact with the soil during planting. To avoid transplanting the softwood cutting, you are advised to plant them in a large container that gives them enough room to grow the roots without being disturbed.
Fill the container using well-drained loam or clay soil, mixing it with water to ensure the soil settles appropriately in the container. Make a hole at the container’s center using a stick approximately four inches. Then plant with the slanted end entering the hole and firm soil around the cutting. If more soil is needed, you can add and ensure it remains firm around the softwood cutting. Finally, water the container to give your cutting enough moisture required for sprouting. And within eight to twelve weeks, your cutting develops a root system.
Planting a developed jacaranda tree
It begins with identifying an appropriate landscape and location with the required soil conditions and lighting requirements. After ensuring all the requirements are met, you can plant and transplant the tree. Begin with removing the weed or grass about three feet in diameter from the identified location. Usually, removing unwanted plants around this diameter is essential because they can deprive your jacaranda tree of moisture. It also opens the plant to damage the tree and predisposes it to diseases.
You then dig a hole that is around two to three deeper and wider than the size of the root ball of your jacaranda plant. Doing so makes the soil in that location lose for the jacaranda tree roots to spread easily while growing. Make a hole while keeping the soil aside so that the jacaranda tree can be planted at least deeper than it was in the container. Of importance to note is that the hole should not be very deep because if you plant the jacaranda seedling very deep, it stresses the plant, thus slowing growth and might also lead to rotting and eventually death.
Planting
After planting the jacaranda seedling in the hole, ensure you fill it halfway while tamping it around using your foot. Also, water the area to remove unwanted air pockets and later finish filling the hole with soil and firming it around the tree. Apply a thin layer of mulch that is equally distributed around the base of the plant to help preserve the moisture in the soil. The lot should also be several inches away from the base of your tree to prevent predisposing it to pests and diseases. After planting, you should water the site to saturation. And then, ensure your water daily for the first few weeks to allow the root system to establish itself. You can water it several times weekly if it becomes hot and dry.
Pruning
Generally, pruning a jacaranda tree is not always a walk in the park because the tree reacts by growing vertical shoots instead of developing attractive branches. However, you can prune your jacaranda tree when it is still young. According to Wikihow, a mature jacaranda tree should not be pruned because you might stunt its growth, or the suckers that develop grow upwards other than forming a canopy.
Watering
Water or moisture is a basic necessity for the proper growth and development of a jacaranda tree. Therefore, water your plant when the top few inches of the soil are completely dry. This prevents the tree from drying. Even though the jacaranda tree requires consistent moisture, do not overwater the plant. You might damage its roots. And during the summer season, you should check your jacaranda tree more often because it might dry up completely.
Mulching and fertilizing
Most garden professionals discourage you from applying mulch and fertilizer to your jacaranda tree, especially if they are rich in nitrogen, because they might prevent it from producing flowers. Therefore, if you are fertilizing the grass, you do not have to feed your tree with fertilizer. However, you can lay a layer of mulch at the base of the tree to help conserve moisture, but it should not be very close.
Planting some companion plants
Before planting any plant close to jacaranda trees, it is essential to determine and select those that do well in the same conditions as your tree. You can also select those plants that usually do well when your jacaranda tree has wilted. Examples of such plants include orchid trees, poinciana trees, Illawarra flame trees, and in Sydney trees. However, if you want to plant shrubs or ground cover, select plants that prefer growing in the shade. The jacaranda tree forms a canopy that prevents enough light from reaching the base of the plant. Examples of these plants include bromeliads, crotons, Boston ferns, and Indian Hawthorns.
Can a jacaranda tree survive as a potted plant?
Even though most people prefer growing jacaranda trees on the land, they can also survive as potted plants. However, proper care, such as pruning and other maintenance practices, are imperative to ensure the plant thrives and blossoms in a pot. You should also ensure that the container or pot should be large enough to give it room for its roots.
How long does it take for a jacaranda tree to blossom?
The time a jacaranda tree takes before it blossoms depends on how it grows. However, most of them blossom within two to four years for the first time after planting. In most cases, grafted trees usually produce their first blossom earlier than those grown from seeds that take a bit longer. And if your tree is very young, all you need is a lot of patience because it might take a while before it starts producing flowers.
What factors might affect the flowering of a jacaranda plant?
Usually, several factors can affect the flowering of your plants, such as sunlight and fertility. For instance, the jacaranda tree produces flowers early and well in poor soils. Excess nitrogen may alter how your jacaranda tree produces flowers. The role of nitrogen in a jacaranda plant is to promote vegetative growth and not flowers. Therefore, avoid applying excess fertilizers, especially those containing nitrogen. Similarly, sunlight is another factor that affects blossoming. In most cases, they do not flower well if they fail to receive sufficient sunlight.
Conclusion
Even though a jacaranda tree usually blossoms once a year, it is a tree you will enjoy having throughout the year. Its leaves provide a luxurious shade to anybody, plant or animal, especially during summer. Therefore, it is essential to meet all its soil, location, moisture, and nutrient requirements. Also, ensure you decide which type of planting is best for you. There are three types of planting, seed planting, softwood cutting, and plant planting. Care and maintenance are imperative. Your plant’s ability to thrive depends on it. Importance care practices required include watering, pruning, and mulching.
