Cassia fistula (Golden shower)

Viable seeds / kg (approx.): 3.640

Minimum purchase: 100 g

Description

C. fistula
is native to Asia, but it has spread almost all over the world as ornamental,
thanks to its profuse and spectacular yellow flowering. It is a semi-deciduous tree that can reach up to 20 m in height, more commonly 10 m,
with an extended crown and slightly hanging branches. Its flowers are
Thailand’s national symbol.

Uses

Its
main use is as ornamental, although pulp and other parts of the tree have been
used in natural medicine for centuries. It can also be planted as a windbreak,
although it loses part or all of its leaves in the dry season. In Asia, it is
used as shade in cocoa plantations. It is an important species in the honey
industry. The wood is hard and heavy and is used for cabinets, construction,
posts, etc. It produces firewood and coal of excellent quality.

Environmental conditions

It
adapts to a wide variety of sites, although it prefers full sun exposure. It is
recommended for sites with 800 to 1500 mm of rain, mean temperatures of 24 to
29 °C and altitudes from sea level to 500 m, although it has been planted at
much higher altitudes. Flowering is greater when there is a clear division
between dry and rainy seasons.

Soils

It
tolerates a wide variety of soils, preferably with good drainage. In urban
sites it is important that the planting holes are deep enough to break the hard
and compacted soil layers typical of these conditions, to ensure a better
environment for their development.

Seeds and nursery

As
a pre-germination treatment it is recommended to immerse the seeds in water at
80 °C for one minute, and then keep them in running water at room temperature
for 24 hours. For the seedbed, it is recommended to use a loose substrate such as
river sand, well washed and disinfected. The seed should be distributed evenly
or in rows separated by 2 cm, and sown at a depth of about 2 mm. Germination
begins after 6-7 days and transplanting is done when the seedlings reach 3-8 cm
in height and the first true leaves appear. The root is usually very long, so
it must be pruned to about 3 cm in length. When transplanting, be sure to make
a hole deep enough in the substrate to avoid curving up of the roots. Shade
should be provided for the first 2-3 weeks after transplanting, for instance
using shade clothing (saran) 50%. With seeds of good germination it is possible
to sow directly in the containers, placing 1-2 seeds per cavity. The plants
will be ready for field planting after 2 - 4 months or when they have a height
of 15-20 cm. A couple of weeks before planting out in the field it is
recommended to reduce watering to stimulate the lignification of the stems.

Growth

C. fistula
is slow growing, it normally requires 4-5 years from planting to
flowering.