🌳 How to Grow Delonix Regia (Flamboyant Tree) from Seeds

Also known as:

• Hindi: गुलमोहर

• Tamil: சிவக்கொன்றை

• Telugu: గుల్మోహర్

• Malayalam: ഗുൽമോഹർ

• Kannada: ಗುಲ್ಮೋಹರ್

• English: Flame Tree / Royal Poinciana

1. 🌱 Choose the Right Season

• Best time to plant: Spring to Early Monsoon (Feb–June)

• Ideal temperature: 20°C to 35°C

• Loves tropical to subtropical climates

2. 🛁 Pre-Treat the Seeds

Delonix seeds have a hard shell and need scarification to improve germination:

• Soak in hot (not boiling) water for 24 hours

• OR lightly nick the seed coat with a knife or sandpaper before soaking

• Seeds will swell — plant immediately after swelling

3. 🌿 Soil Preparation

• Use a well-draining, fertile mix:

  • Garden soil + compost + coarse sand (1:1:1)

• Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0–7.5)

• Enrich with organic compost or cow dung

4. 🌾 Sowing the Seeds

• Sow 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep

• In pots or seed trays, sow 1 seed per cell or 6 inches apart

• Cover lightly with soil

• Water gently

5. 💧 Watering

• Keep soil consistently moist (not soggy)

• Mist or sprinkle daily until germination

• Reduce watering once seedlings are established

6. 🌞 Germination

• Germination in 7–14 days (can take up to 21 days)

• Place in bright, indirect sunlight during this stage

• Maintain warmth and humidity

7. ☀️ Sunlight & Climate

• Full sun is essential once established (6–8 hours/day)

• Thrives in hot, dry climates

• Not frost-tolerant

8. 🌱 Transplanting

• Transplant when seedling is 6–8 inches tall

• Choose a sunny, open space — tree can grow 30–40 feet tall

• Ensure space for wide canopy (up to 30 ft spread)

9. 🌿 Fertilization

• Add compost or vermicompost every 2–3 months in early growth

• Mature trees usually don’t need fertilizers

• Avoid excessive nitrogen (may delay flowering)

10. 🛡️ Pest & Disease Care

• Generally pest-resistant

• Occasionally: caterpillars, aphids

• Use neem spray or soap water if needed

11. 🌺 Flowering & Maintenance

• Starts flowering in 4–5 years

• Blooms in late spring/summer with stunning red-orange flowers

• Deciduous — sheds leaves in dry season

• Prune lightly after flowering to shape the tree

🌟 Benefits of Delonix regia

• Ornamental showpiece for parks, gardens, roadsides

• Provides deep shade in summer

• Attracts birds, bees, and butterflies

• Drought-tolerant and low maintenance once established