English name geiger tree, Cordia :geiger ,geiger tree florida(because it native to Florida
Geiger Tree (Cordia) Grow and Care
Geiger Tree
The scientific name of geiger tree
Cordia sebestena L.
original home habitat (native) to
Cuba& Florida
Geiger Tree Family:
Geiger tree belongs to the family Boraginaceae.
Geiger Tree Lifespan:
Geiger trees can live for about 20-30 years.
Geiger Tree Blooming Season
Geiger trees typically bloom from early spring to late fall, producing vibrant orange or red trumpet-shaped flowers.
Geiger Tree Hardiness Zone:
Geiger trees are native to tropical and subtropical regions and are best suited for USDA hardiness zones 10-11, where temperatures rarely drop below freezing.
tree fruit edible?
The Geiger tree fruit is edible, with a sweet and tangy flavor. It is oval-shaped, with a smooth orange skin that turns yellow when ripe. The flesh is juicy and contains small seeds. The tree is also known for its ability to withstand coastal conditions and its attractive flowers.
description of (Geger Tree) Cordia
(geiger tree) Cordia scarlet, is an evergreen tree, with a size and height of about 10 meters. The leaves are oval, with a length of about 20 cm.
The flowers are reddish-orange in color, gathered as buds in groups at the end of the twigs, the number of buds ranges from 1-4 buds, all bloom at the same time, and one of its most important features is that it blooms most of the time of the year.
The fruits in (geiger tree Tree) Cordia scarlet small in size, with a white color.
They are consumed as a delicious fruit.
(geiger tree) Cordia scarlet propagation
Scarlet Cordia trees are propagated by planting seed germination, that is, they are grown in pots or planting boxes that contain an agricultural environment, consisting of compost + peat moss in a ratio of 2: 1, where they are taken care of until the appearance of real leaves, where the plants are singled out in pots or Planting bags until they reach the appropriate length, then the plants are rotated in suitable pots and taken care of until they are planted in sustainable land.
geiger tree root system
Geiger tree, has a shallow and wide-spreading root system. Its roots tend to grow close to the surface, allowing the tree to efficiently gather nutrients and water from the soil. This robust root system helps anchor the tree and provides stability in various soil conditions.
caring for an cordia sebestena
(geiger tree Tree) Cordia scarlet watering
(Geger Tree) Cordia scarlet are evergreen trees, so care must be taken in the irrigation process throughout the year, especially during the spring and summer seasons, where the trees are irrigated according to their irrigation needs, as this depends on the nature of the soil and the environmental conditions in the region.
(geiger tree Tree) Cordia scarlet fertilizer
(geiger tree Tree) Cordia scarlet are fertilized, using the fertilizer NPK 10: 10: 10, of the major fertilizer elements nitrogen – phosphorus – potassium at a rate of 400 g / tree of 3-5 years of age.
Provided that the process of adding fertilizer takes place in two equal batches, the first batch is added during the month of March, and the second batch is added during the month of August.
Attention should also be given to fertilizing trees, using well-decomposed organic fertilizer at a rate of 2-3 kg + 200 gm of monosuperphosphate fertilizer 15% / tree of 3-5 years of age.
That the organic fertilizer be added during the winter service in the month of December.
(geiger tree Tree) Cordia scarlet bio-fertilizer
Environmentally friendly bio-fertilizer is used to fertilize the scarlet cordia trees, instead of using mineral (chemical) fertilizer which is harmful to the environment.
Among the most important biofertilizers used are the following:
1- Using the water-soaked compost known as compost tea.
2- Using bacteria that fix atmospheric nitrogen, such as Azotobacter
3- Using the Trichoderma fungus, which helps plants to absorb rock phosphate in the soil.
4- Using active dry beer yeast during the spring season at a rate of 20 gm/tree at all ages.
5- The use of humic acid, which helps the soil to retain irrigation water, instead of losing it through leaching, especially in light and sandy soils.
Also, humic acid helps plants and trees to absorb the microelements in the soil, such as magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc and manganese, as well as the rest of the microelements in the soil.
Soil suitable for growing (geiger tree) Cordia scarlet
It is important to pay
attention to the cultivation of scarlet Cordia trees in fertile, well-drained, well-ventilated lands, as well as free from harmful mineral salts, as the trees are sensitive to salinity, whether soil salinity or irrigation water salinity.
Light requirements for Geiger Tree
Care must be taken in planting scarlet cordia trees in sunny, well-lit places, in order for them to grow well.
As light is important for the process of photosynthesis, in which the plant uses the energy it absorbs from the light reaching the mechanism in the representation of carbon dioxide + water to build carbohydrates from which the rest of the other nutritional components necessary for the continuation of plant life are created.
Cultivation of seedlings of scarlet cordia trees in the land, the permanent land:
(geiger Tree) Cordia scarlet trees are planted in sustainable land, provided that a sunny, well-lit place is chosen and in fertile, well-drained soil, provided that the following components are added to the place of planting seedlings
* Adding well-decomposing organic fertilizer at a rate of 1-2 kg + 200 gm of monosuperphosphate fertilizer 15% + a suitable fungicide to combat soil rot (according to the recommended recommendations).
The ingredients are mixed well with the soil, then the seedlings are brought, provided that the roots of the seedlings are treated as follows:
* The roots of the seedlings are dipped for 4-5 minutes in a fungicide solution to combat root rot + a root stimulating hormone solution such as indole butyric acid solution (according to the recommended recommendations).
Seedlings are planted in the permanent land after treatment, provided that they are well fixed, then irrigation is done without drowning, then the seedlings are followed up in terms of irrigation and appropriate fertilization until they grow well.
(geiger tree Tree) Cordia scarlet pruning and trimming
Attention is paid to the pruning and pruning of scarlet cordia trees, where broken, dry and deformed branches are removed, as well as branches affected by insect pests and fungal diseases.
Care must also be taken to remove the intertwined branches inside the heart of the trees, in order to allow light to reach the heart of the trees, in order for them to grow well.
Control of insect pests that affect scarlet cordia trees:
Scarlet Cordia trees may be infected with many insect pests, such as mites, mealy bugs, aphids, whiteflies, thrips and gasids, as well as many other insects.
So he likes to spray trees
When the infection occurred using the pesticide malathion 57% at a rate of 3 cc + 15 cc of Royal Summer Mineral Oil.
The spraying should be done in the early morning and the trees should be washed. It should also be re-sprayed 21 days after the previous spraying and at the same rates, so that all insect pests are completely eliminated.
Cultivation of (geiger Tree) Cordia scarlet gardens:
Cordia scarlet trees are beautiful trees, as they are planted in home gardens in flower beds, or they are planted singly or in groups, in order to give the garden a beautiful attractive shape.
Uses of (geiger tree) Cordia scarlet.
1- Trees are planted in gardens and public bark , due to the dazzling beauty of trees.
2- Trees are planted in home gardens, as they are among the most beautiful ornamental trees.
3- Some useful medical drugs are extracted from the leaves and bark of trees.
geiger tree varieties
varieties of Geiger trees (Cordia sebestena), which is a species native to the tropics and subtropics. Here are a few popular cultivars:
firecracker tree florida (Cordia sebestena
- This variety has vibrant orange-red flowers and a compact growth habit. It is known for its continuous bloom and attracts birds and butterflies.
Cordia sebestena Flamingo
- This cultivar features beautiful pink to red flowers and is slightly smaller in size compared to the species. It is also a prolific bloomer and adds a splash of color to landscapes
Cordia sebestena Pink
- This variety showcases stunning pink flowers that provide a striking contrast against its dark green foliage. It is favored for its attractive appearance and ability to attract pollinators.
(Cordia sebestena Alba)
This cultivar is prized for its white flowers, offering a unique and elegant alternative to the typical orange or red blooms of Geiger trees. It can create a stunning visual effect, especially when planted alongside other vibrant flowering plants.
Sources
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ST182
https://www.south-florida-plant-guide.com/geiger-tree.html
https://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=Cordsebe