Bolusanthus speciosus

Cultivation Details

A plant of tropical and subtropical lowlands, where it is found at elevations up to 1,000 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 17 - 27°c, but can tolerate 14 - 34°c^[1]. Mature plants can be killed by temperatures of -5°c or lower, but young growth can be severely damaged at 2°c^[1]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 500 - 650mm, but tolerates 100 - 1,000mm^[1]. Requires a sunny position^[1]. Found in the wild in a variety of soil types but prefers fertile, heavier alkaline soils^[1]. Prefers a pH in the range 6.5 - 8, tolerating 6 - 8.5^[1]. Established plants are drought tolerant^{[2, 1]}. A moderately fast-growing species, with good care it can grow up to 800mm per year^[2]. Under optimal conditions, the tree commences flowering when 5 - 7 years old from seed^[3]. The plant has a non-invasive root system^[2]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby^[3].