ROYAL POINCIANA – GULMOHAR

• Gulmohar Tree: How to Grow, Its Uses, Benefits and Much More

Gulmohar (Delonix regia), also known as Royal Poinciana or flame tree or fire tree is one of the most beautiful trees in the world. It is perhaps one of the oldest ornamental trees grown with one of the earliest records of cultivation in Pakistan.

Gulmohar (Delonix regia), also known as Royal Poinciana or flame tree or fire tree is one of the most beautiful trees in the world. It is perhaps one of the oldest ornamental trees grown with one of the earliest records of cultivation in Pakistan.

Gulmohar, in Pakistan is present abundantly and almost everyone is familiar with it, that’s why it is often referred to as the ‘street tree’. Because of its ornamental value, it has been cultivated and colonised in several sub-tropical and tropical countries.

The tree can thrive in almost all climate conditions except very dry or frosty climate. Flowers bloom in between April and May and in around November the leaves start turning yellow and shedding. It has a shallow-root system, making it quite vulnerable to damage in storms. The plant grows upto five feet per year and thus matures and develops pretty fast. Flower color varies from light orange to deep scarlet and other intermediate shades too.

• Growing Gulmohar at home :

Gulmohar needs quite a space to grow and is suitable to be grown in summers.

1. Soil:

As Gulmohar is a native to Madagascar, it has adapted to soils of every tropical regions. Soil should be above freezing temperatures and have enough warmth. And have a right balance of manure and fertilisers.

2. Seed preparation:

You can grow Gulmohar either through Scarification process (the process of cutting or weakening the outer coating of the seed so that it can germinate easily) or soaking the seed in hot water for about 10 minutes before sowing them for better germination.

3. Maintenance:

It requires moderate amounts of sunlight. This plant grows upto 5 ft. per year so it matures and blossom very fast. In the initial growth stages, prune the plant carefully and regularly. This plant is extremely resistant to most kinds of pesky pests, so pests won’t be a problem, but its wood is vulnerable to animals and insects.