How to Start a Dwarf Ponciana Seed

The dwarf poinciana is a medium-sized tropical shrub favored for its attractive blooms. Also referred to as "The Pride of Barbados," it is actually the national flower of the country and is found on the Barbados flag. It grows best in the hardiness zones between 9b and 11, as designated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which includes regions such as Florida, southern Texas and southern California. Given the right region and growing conditions, it is not hard to plant and grow a dwarf poinciana.

Dwarf poinciana seeds
Warm water
Watering can
Pin

Instructions

- 1
  Soak the dwarf poinciana seeds in warm, but not boiling water for 24 hours prior to planting. This serves to ripen the seeds and make them swell with water, making them ready to go into the soil.
- 2
  Remove any swollen seeds after the 24 hours and set them aside, as they are ready for planting. Any that have not swollen should be pricked carefully with a pin and soaked for a further 24 hours. These seeds may just have thicker skins and need help to absorb the water. If they still fail to swell, discard them.
- 3
  Plant the swollen seeds immediately after soaking in loose, well drained soil. Place them 1/4 inch below the soil's surface. Wait until after the last frost of winter to plant, and do it on a day when the air temperature is between 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 4
  Place the seeds in an open area and several feet apart in order to give the plants plenty of room to grow. Dwarf poincianas grow to 12 feet in height and can spread 12 feet across.
- 5
  Water the seeds every few days if the weather is dry for an extended period. They do not require daily watering since dwarf poincianas can handle prolonged dry conditions. Better to be sparing than to over-water the seeds.

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