Ceiba speciosa, the drunken tree – Sale Plants Online

You know the tree that looks like it drank a little too much at the last beach party? No, it’s not a joke, it’s the Ceiba speciosa, also known by the old name “Chorisia”!

Native to the tropical and subtropical forests of South America, this fascinating plant is famous for its pot-bellied and swollen trunkwhich earned it the nickname “palo borracho”, or “drunk tree” in Spanish. But don’t be fooled by its slightly funny appearance: the Ceiba speciosa is a true giant, which can reach (in nature) 25 meters in height! If it reminds you a little of the Baobab you are not wrong, we are in the same botanical family, that of the Malvaceae.

In addition to its extravagant appearance, also due to the many thorns scattered on the trunk (excellent for dissuading wild animals from trying to climb), this tree has a lot to offer, for example its flowers, which bloom in summer, are a real feast for the eyes. Also you know that its trunk changes color? In fact, when the plant is young, it is green, and then becomes grey, this is because when young the Ceiba speciosa does not have enough leaves to carry out chlorophyll photosynthesis and therefore the task of carrying it out is entrusted to the trunk!

The original habitat of the Ceiba is beautiful

Ceiba speciosa is native to the tropical and subtropical forests (discover all the other exotic and tropical plants available in the nursery) of South America, in particular Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. Later it also spread to tropical and subtropical regions of the Northern Hemispheresuch as the Antilles and the southern United States.

In Europe, its beauty has made it a valued ornamental plant, especially in areas with mild winters. In Italy, its introduction dates back to the end of the 19th century at the botanical garden of Palermo, and from there it spread to various regions.

Care and cultivation of Ceiba speciosa

Ceiba speciosa is a relatively easy plant to grow, but requires some attention to grow at its best.

Ideal temperatures for the drunken tree

Ceiba speciosa, although native to warm climates, tolerates the cold quite well if well acclimatised. However, it is important to keep in mind that this is a deciduous plantwhich loses its leaves in autumn and winter.

When the plants are young, during the winter, it is important to protect them by bringing them into one cold greenhouse or in one unheated veranda. It is also important to pay attention to temperatures below -2 or -3°Cwhich can be dangerous for young Chorisia.

Adult trees, on the other hand, are more resistant to the coldmanaging to tolerate even minimum temperatures of -7 or -8°C.

Exhibition of the Ceiba speciosa

Ceiba speciosa prefers exposures of direct lightHowever, it is recommended to place the younger plants in lightly shaded positions during the summer.

Wet the Chorisia

The drunken tree, unlike what the name might suggest, does not need to drink continuously, on the contrary, it is rather resistant to droughtespecially in adulthood when the lower third of the trunk takes on a bottle shape, taking on a water reserve function.

In summer it’s fine Always leave some moisture in the soil available to Ceiba speciosa.

Soil to use for Ceiba speciosa in pots

When growing Chorisia in pots you need the right soil, it is in fact a plant very sensitive to water stagnationPrecisely for this reason I recommend One plus, an excellent draining substrate.

Chorisia is coming

Nutrition is a very important aspect for Ceiba speciosa, the best combination is given by the use of a well-balanced fertilizer such as Asso di Fiori, combined with a biostimulant, especially Bio Oro and Algatron could prove to be the best options.

Pests and problems of the drunken tree

Fortunately, the Ceiba speciosa is not much loved by parasites, but, even if rarely, it may happen that an attack of some kind appears. aphid or scale insectI’m really happy with the «my organic garden» defense kit.

The flower of Ceiba speciosa

At the beginning of the article I introduced you to this fascinating plant, but I wanted to go back to talking about its flowers for a moment. I really like them, they remind me a bit of those of the tropical Hibiscus, but their livery is fantastic and very changeable, there are specimens with white, pink and red flowers. Furthermore the nectar produced by these flowers attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.