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Ochna integerrima
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Posted by karyn1 (bhkalen@aol.com) on Thu, May 10, 07 at 10:11
Does anyone grow Ochna integerrima (Mickey Mouse plant)? I started a few from seed last summer and they are sooooo slow growing. My biggest one is only about 6" tall with 8 leaves. I just got them outside and transplanted them into 6" pots. Do they like lots of growing room or should I allow them to become somewhat rootbound (if they ever grow!). Am I doing something wrong or is this a slow growing plant? How long will I be waiting for them to reach blooming size? I have to winter it over inside under lights so I'm sure that doesn't help. The person I got the seeds from speaks very little English and I don't speak Vietnamese so I can't ask him for growing instructions. I can usually find out care instructions online for most of the plants he gives me but I haven't found much on this shrub.
Karyn |
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RE: Ochna integerrima
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- Posted by bahia SF Bay Area (My Page) on
Sun, May 13, 07 at 18:00
| In habitat it will be accustomed to long hot steamy summers and drier briefly colder winters. I don't think this species does well even here in southern California, but is probably grown in south Florida. As quite large plants are often grown in large pots in Vietnam, I don't think this resents being pot bound at all. I would just give it your hottest spot and feed regularly, and it ought to like your summer weather back in Maryland? The South African version, Ochna serrulata is the more commonly grown species here in northern California, where it is also somewhat fickly about growing conditions, and shy to bloom except when happy. I have gotten this one to bloom here, but it is not a fast grower. |
RE: Ochna integerrima
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Karyn, You are lucky to get the seed geminated.
What I remember back from Vietnam is that Ochna integerrima grows VERY, VERY slow, especially during those first 3 years. It is a tree not shrub, could reach more than 12 feet as I have seen. It may flower after about 5 years, about 3-4 feet at that time in its native land when the trunk is about 1/2-3/4" size. Sandy soil, filtered sun, warm and high air humid are required.
There are two major verieties in VN: Ochna integerrima- "mai van" (yellow "mai") or "mai Tet" which only flower around Vietnamese new year, and Ochna kirkii- "mai do" (red "mai") ,"Mai Tu-quy" or 4-season "mai" since they flower yearround.
Could you ask if the guy (or yourself) willing to share some of the seedlings, or future seeds (must be fresh - or they won't germinate). I am willing to do something to compensate for the kindness. |
RE: Ochna integerrima
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| I wonder where you got those seeds because i wanted those seeds. My dad got some seeds from Vietnam but they all die. But i wanted to try again. i was hoping if you could sell some seeds to me. or tell me where could you buy them. please reply back. thank you. |
RE: Ochna integerrima
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| I got the seeds from a friend. He has a nursery specializing in Oriental plants. He has some large OI's for sale but they are outrageously expensive, several hundred $$. I have very little trouble with germinating fresh seed. I might still have a couple small seedlings left but will have to check in the greenhouse. They are very slow to reach blooming size. I think it took about 4 years for my OI to bloom and it was still quite small. This variety blooms around the Vietnamese New Year and produces a yellow flower. The calyx turns bright red and the seeds eventually turn black. It really does look like Mickey Mouse. |
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