Baobab tree grow and care – tree succulent of the genus Adansonia also known as Baobabs, Baobab tree perennial deciduous plant, can be used as medical, edible but mostly used as ornamental plant as shade tree or as bonsai, can grow in tropics, mediterranean or subtropics climate and growing in hardiness zone 10b+ and with the right overwinter care in hardiness zone 10a.
Leaves color green in elliptic shape the leaves connected in the base 5 leaves.
Flower color white, there are five petals and the stamens in ball shape, the flowers hang from the tree down.
Prefer more than 10C, in hardiness zone 10 need to protect young trees in the winter from wind and frost also need to take care that the plant will be cover in the first years
How to care for young tree: Young tree are sensitive to winds and cold weather, in cold area in highly recommend to put fertilizers in the spring to the autumn with high content of nitrogen, add humus and consider to plant annual legumes it might help, cover the soil with mulch and verify that there aren’t a lot of water
What is the best way to start growing?
Plant / Seedling / Seed (explanation bellow) / vegetative reproduction – cutting
How to propagate: Propagation by cutting stem, , cut the stem wait few days until the tissue will hill, after this put it in well-drained soil, and water it every few days let in dry but not fully dry, after few weeks to month it start to grow root, propagation season – better to start in the early spring and in hardiness zone 11+ better to start, and always possible indoor (depend the temperature in the house).
Is it necessary to graft or use vegetative reproduction? No
Difficulties or problems when growing: Need a lot of place to grow this tree
Planting season: Spring in hardiness zone 10, spring and autumn in hardiness zone 11, in hardiness zone 12 autumn to spring, in hardiness zone 13 need to be dry tropical, possible to plant all the year, in summer the plant is in dormant is possible to plant it in summer but be aware that the plant need small amount of water
How to plant: Dig hole bigger 100% more than the roots ball, add to the hole, organic matter, dead leaves and humus put back some soil and mix it, after this put the tree cover lightly but strong enough that won’t fall put support for the tree if needed, if the tree is not stable consider to prune, water it twice in the first day and every day for two weeks.
Pests and diseases: Aphids
Pruning season: Better in summer, possible all the year
How to prune:
Just design
Size of the plant: 10-30 m, 30-100 feet
Growth speed in optimal condition: Slow growing
Water requirement: Small amount of water / Average amount of water, the plants prefer dry summer
Light conditions in optimal condition for growing: Full Sun
Is it possible to grow as houseplant? No
Growing is also possible in a pot / planter /flowerpot / containers: No, but as bonsai it’s possible in pot
Blooming information
Bloom season: Winter / Spring
General information about the flower White flowers, there are five petals and the stamens in ball shape, the flowers hang from the tree down
How to grow Baobab tree from seeds
Sowing requirement: Soak in warm water at least 24 hours, switch the water several times, need to scratch the cover of seeds, until arrive to the white part in the top of the seeds, be aware that germination ratio is low
Saving seeds and care until sowing: Dry in room temperature
Sowing season: Winter to spring, in hardiness zone of 10 better to start indoor and take it out in the spring, in hardiness zone 11+ better to start in the winter
How to plant: Better to plant in well ventilated soil
Planting spacing: Different pots will be the best
Depth of Sowing: 1-2cm (0.5-1 inch) from the top of the seeds
Conditions for seeds germinate: Lightly moist soil and high humidity above 25C (68F)
Watering requires for Seeds: Small amount of water / Average amount of water
Germination time: 1-10 months and might be more
Condition of seedling: Hardiness zone 10 need to protect seedling in the winter from wind and frost also need to take care that the plant will be cover in the first years
