How to Grow Gulmohar Tree | Growing Delonix Regia Tree

If you want to grow a flowering tree that gets laden with blooms in summers, then read ahead to learn How to Grow Gulmohar Tree!

If you’ve grown up in India, you must be surely familiar with the Delonix Regia Tree. It’s very common to spot this beautiful orange-foliaged tree during the summer months. Its distinctive flowers grow four orange petals, while the fifth petal is slightly bigger, yellow-white spotted and stands upright. Moreover, it grows green leaves that look fern-like. Here is a complete guide on How to Grow Gulmohar Tree in India.

Botanical Name: Delonix Regia

Common Names: May-Flower Tree, Gulmohar, Royal Poinciana, Flamboyant Tree, Flame Tree, Krishnachura, Peacock Flower

Here’s all you need to know about growing Bougainvillea in pots

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Propagating Gulmohar Tree

From Seeds

For growing the Gulmohar tree from seeds, you’ll have to follow Scarification. It is a process through which we make the seeds more penetrable, allow water to get in easily, and encourage sprouting.

You can either soak the seeds in warm water for a few hours before you sow them or make minor nicks on them using a small clipper and sow immediately.

From Cuttings

It is just as effective to grow Gulmohar tree from stem cuttings. Cut about a foot of a branch that looks fresh, and plant this in the potting mix. This method is the easier one, plus you don’t have to wait for months for the plant to grow.

However, it is not always certain if your cutting would propagate. The roots take several months to start growing.

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Requirements for Growing Gulmohar Tree

Location

Once the Gulmohar tree grows, the crown would want to spread and require a lot of room, so it’s best to plant it in an open space that receives abundant direct sunlight. It needs more than 6 hours of regular daylight.

In addition, Gulmohar tree is shallow-rooted and may not hold well in windstorms, so choose a location where it will be protected from strong winds.

Soil

The Gulmohar Tree tree grows well in a pH range of 6.5 to 7.5. Ensure that the soil is fertile, well-draining, and above freezing temperatures. In the initial stages of the plant, the soil should be rich in organic compost to help the plant grow.

Watering

Water the Gulmohar tree regularly when it is young. It doesn’t mind getting a bit over-watered. Since its bloom time is in summer, water it more often in summers and reduce the watering frequency in winters. Once established, you don’t have to worry much about the watering requirements. 

Temperature & Humidity

Since it is a tropical tree, Gulmohar tree loves warmth and moisture. It does well in most climates but cannot survive drought and frost. It can tolerate temperatures above 7.0℃ with ease and does remarkably well in the hot climate of India.

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Caring for Gulmohar Tree

Fertilization

The Gulmohar tree doesn’t need much fertilization once it is established. You can feed the young plants with a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month.

Pruning

Prune Gulmohar tree to keep it looking neat and tidy. Snip away dead stems and leaves from time to time when the plant is young. 

Pests & Diseases

Luckily, the Gulmohar tree doesn’t attract any pests or diseases. But it may draw some insects and animals, which pose no threat to the tree.