On St John USVI's coast, I observed what I believed to be this tree teeming with hummingbird activity. In retrospect, I believe it was pr...Read Moreobably Cordia Rickseckeri after comparing leaves and flower shape. It is unlikely I will find the latter species available due to its threatened species status. It's unfortunately because it is a stunning tree which hummingbirds swarmed around.
Although a desirable tree for bees and butterflies, it is also desirable to bugs - and lots of them. Geiger beetles, Sri Lankan Weevils a...Read Morend a host of other insects decimate this tree. I planted this Geiger tree 3 years ago and have had chewed leaves, few flowers and very little growth, and believe me, I take good care of it. Every time it starts to try and do something, the bugs decend. If you have a butterfly garden and don't use insecticides, I would re-think planting this tree...
These plants grow quite well in Tampa Bay. There are specimens at the St. Petersburg Veterans Hospital and I have seen several in neighbo...Read Morerhoods. St. Petersburg is a 9b and temperatures drop to 26 last year and survived just fine with full bloom the following season.
There is also a tree at the USF botanical Gardens in Tampa (9A) that took low 20s in the same freeze as above and is reported to have done better than ever this season. i witnessed it in good bloom.
The freezing temperatures were not for several days an extended time, but rather quick freezes. After seeing so many large specimens in person, I believe these are safe for a lot of zone 9s if you are okay with losing them in those every 20-30 year freezes. The last one here was 1982.
I have not grown this plant; however, i have pbserved it growing in Maui, Hawaii and love the blooms. Orange Geiger Tree, Geranium Tree,...Read More Anaconda, Scarlet Cordia (Cordia sebestena) was introduced into Florida and Puerto Rico and has naturalized.
(Becky) in Sebastian, FL (Zone 10a) | October 2006 | positive
Purchased as a single trunk small tree which I planted 2 years ago. Died back this past winter in my zone. Came back this year as a large...Read More bush. It had a lot of eye-catching orange blooms and fruit this year. I don't do anything to it at all except fertilize once a year. Drought tolerant.
three years ago i planted a yellow geiger tree that i purchased at the mounts botanical garden in wpb fl. it was about 2 ft. tall when pu...Read Morechased. it grew slowly the first 2 yrs. but was always flowering. this year it is now about 7 ft. tall beautiful shaped and survived last years2 hurricanes. we love the numerous yellow flowers that are ever present. we have never fetilized it.
The lovely orange blossoms and nice size make this a positive addition. Beware: pests chew the leaves; best viewed from a distance. P...Read Moreuts out lots of new plants, from the seed pods.
The orange geiger tree is very tropical and although they do fine even in full Arizona sun,if it hits 32 degrees over the winter,they are...Read More dead.I have a few in my greenhouse that are flowering and they are only in 1 and 2 gallon pots.The flowers are very deep orange color.
On St John USVI's coast, I observed what I believed to be this tree teeming with hummingbird activity. In retrospect, I believe it was pr...Read More
Pretty little tropical tree.
Sorry, IFAS (U of Florida goons), but this tree is NOT a Florida native -- it was introduced ...Read More
Although a desirable tree for bees and butterflies, it is also desirable to bugs - and lots of them. Geiger beetles, Sri Lankan Weevils a...Read More
We have been growing this plant three plus years in the ground (and a year previously in a pot) with no problems.
Tampa
These plants grow quite well in Tampa Bay. There are specimens at the St. Petersburg Veterans Hospital and I have seen several in neighbo...Read More
I have not grown this plant; however, i have pbserved it growing in Maui, Hawaii and love the blooms. Orange Geiger Tree, Geranium Tree,...Read More
Purchased as a single trunk small tree which I planted 2 years ago. Died back this past winter in my zone. Came back this year as a large...Read More
three years ago i planted a yellow geiger tree that i purchased at the mounts botanical garden in wpb fl. it was about 2 ft. tall when pu...Read More
The lovely orange blossoms and nice size make this a positive addition. Beware: pests chew the leaves; best viewed from a distance. P...Read More
The orange geiger tree is very tropical and although they do fine even in full Arizona sun,if it hits 32 degrees over the winter,they are...Read More
I have found out that the fruits are edible and although they smell nice, they are not very flavourful.