Return to the Tropicals Forum
| Post a Follow-Up
Ochna integerrima
| | |
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 |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Ochna integerrima
| | |
- 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
| | |
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
| | |
| Growing this species from seed is all about timing as noted by the other post. The seeds must be planted within days after it ripens and readily falls of the flower. Beyond that time period, it is no longer viable. I have a tree here and saplings sprout up like crazy as the seeds drop from the flower. I've tried saving the seeds which never grow when brought out much later. Yes, the plant does grow very slowly. Mine is flowering now but my first one also took 8 years due to lack of experience!! It will flower in about 3 years with care. The other trick is that it will bloom ONLY if you pluck off all the leaves. Don't worry new ones will come out immediately right after the bursts of flowers. If you take note, many of the flowering trees have very little leaves due to pruning to get it started. They do this during 'Tet' in Vietnam. |
RE: Ochna integerrima
| | |
| I just saw that this post was resurrected. My OI finally started blooming last year. It's still pretty small. |
RE: Ochna integerrima
| | |
| How do you start the seeds. |
RE: Ochna integerrima
| | |
| I just planted them about 1 inch deep in regular potting soil. I started them during the summer so the soil was warm. |
|
|
|
|
