Hi there, I have a mimosa tree about 4ft. Had it for 2 years still no
flowers, any suggestions? Regards, Sheena.


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"arran" wrote:

Hi there, I have a mimosa tree about 4ft. Had it for 2 years still no
flowers, any suggestions? Regards, Sheena.

If it is Acacia dealbata (Florist's Mimosa) it won't flower until it
is reasonably large - around 10-15ft or more - after about 3-5 years
of growth. There are smaller growing Acacias which flower at a more
convenient size and it all depends upon the one you have. Most
Acacias set their flower buds in autumn and these can be damaged or
killed by hard frosts during winter. If pot grown, they are also
vulnerable to drying out and this can also prevent or reduce
flowering. In this country, all Acacias must have full sun at all
times. Otherwise the shoots cannot ripen sufficiently to develop
flower buds.

Then there is the problem of locality. There are some Acacias that
can prove to be very hardy, but many are very susceptible to hard
frosts and prolonged temps below minus 5C. First to go are the flower
buds and then the shoot tips. Young Acacia dealbata can develop trunk
split at temperatures approaching minus 8 or 9C if these persist for
several days and even mature trees can be severely damaged.

The big 'tree' Mimosas (Acacia dealbata, A.baileyana etc.) are really
only suited to growing in warmer parts of the UK. They are often fine
in the warmer 'heat-sinks' found in large cities such as London and
Birmingham and are generally very reliable along the south coast.
Away from those regions growing them is a bit of a lottery. After
all, they are natives of Australia!

HTH

Dave Poole
Torquay, Coastal South Devon UK
Winter min -2°C. Summer max 34°C.
Growing season: March - November
Drop 's' when mailing

"Dave Poole" wrote in message
...
"arran" wrote:

Hi there, I have a mimosa tree about 4ft. Had it for 2 years still no
flowers, any suggestions? Regards, Sheena.

If it is Acacia dealbata (Florist's Mimosa) it won't flower until it
is reasonably large - around 10-15ft or more - after about 3-5 years
of growth. There are smaller growing Acacias which flower at a more
convenient size and it all depends upon the one you have. Most
Acacias set their flower buds in autumn and these can be damaged or
killed by hard frosts during winter. If pot grown, they are also
vulnerable to drying out and this can also prevent or reduce
flowering. In this country, all Acacias must have full sun at all
times. Otherwise the shoots cannot ripen sufficiently to develop
flower buds.

Then there is the problem of locality. There are some Acacias that
can prove to be very hardy, but many are very susceptible to hard
frosts and prolonged temps below minus 5C. First to go are the flower
buds and then the shoot tips. Young Acacia dealbata can develop trunk
split at temperatures approaching minus 8 or 9C if these persist for
several days and even mature trees can be severely damaged.

The big 'tree' Mimosas (Acacia dealbata, A.baileyana etc.) are really
only suited to growing in warmer parts of the UK. They are often fine
in the warmer 'heat-sinks' found in large cities such as London and
Birmingham and are generally very reliable along the south coast.
Away from those regions growing them is a bit of a lottery. After
all, they are natives of Australia!

HTH

Dave Poole

What would be your opinion on the hardiness (or otherwise!) of Acacia
fimbriata? I grow A. retonoides and dealbata OK, but have lost A. baileyana
twice. Is it better to plant out small and protect or grow on till large
then plant?
Acacia fimbriata loves it in the cold greenhouse, the scent is lovely but I
would love the space back!

--
Charlie, gardening in Cornwall.
http://www.roselandhouse.co.uk
Holders of National Plant Collection of Clematis viticella (cvs)

On Sat, 22 May 2004 10:15:55 +0100, "Charlie Pridham"

What would be your opinion on the hardiness (or otherwise!) of Acacia
fimbriata? I grow A. retonoides and dealbata OK, but have lost A. baileyana
twice. Is it better to plant out small and protect or grow on till large
then plant?
Acacia fimbriata loves it in the cold greenhouse, the scent is lovely but I
would love the space back!

A. fimbriata is supposed to be quite hardy and about the same as A.
retinodes. That sad, I've only grown it once when I lived in the
Midlands and overwintered most acacias under glass. I find it odd
that A. baileyana fails with you - it is one of the first to flower
here - often opening up a few buds a couple of weeks before Christmas.

Back to fimbriata, I would have said go for it, but then you can't get
baileyana through winters. The best bet is to take a few cuttings in
July (half ripe side shoots with a heel are very easy to root) and
when these have made decent growth, keep them as insurance and plant
your main specimen against a sunny, sheltered wall. It really should
do well in Cornwall, there's no special mystery about it as a species
and in many parts of the world, it is hailed as a 1st class amenity
shrub.


Dave Poole
Torquay, Coastal South Devon UK
Winter min -2°C. Summer max 34°C.
Growing season: March - November
Drop 's' when mailing

On Sat, 22 May 2004 10:15:55 +0100, "Charlie Pridham"

What would be your opinion on the hardiness (or otherwise!) of Acacia
fimbriata? I grow A. retonoides and dealbata OK, but have lost A. baileyana
twice. Is it better to plant out small and protect or grow on till large
then plant?
Acacia fimbriata loves it in the cold greenhouse, the scent is lovely but I
would love the space back!

A. fimbriata is supposed to be quite hardy and about the same as A.
retinodes. That sad, I've only grown it once when I lived in the
Midlands and overwintered most acacias under glass. I find it odd
that A. baileyana fails with you - it is one of the first to flower
here - often opening up a few buds a couple of weeks before Christmas.

Back to fimbriata, I would have said go for it, but then you can't get
baileyana through winters. The best bet is to take a few cuttings in
July (half ripe side shoots with a heel are very easy to root) and
when these have made decent growth, keep them as insurance and plant
your main specimen against a sunny, sheltered wall. It really should
do well in Cornwall, there's no special mystery about it as a species
and in many parts of the world, it is hailed as a 1st class amenity
shrub.


Dave Poole
Torquay, Coastal South Devon UK
Winter min -2°C. Summer max 34°C.
Growing season: March - November
Drop 's' when mailing

In article , Dave Poole
writes
On Sat, 22 May 2004 10:15:55 +0100, "Charlie Pridham"

What would be your opinion on the hardiness (or otherwise!) of Acacia
fimbriata? I grow A. retonoides and dealbata OK, but have lost A. baileyana
twice. Is it better to plant out small and protect or grow on till large
then plant?
Acacia fimbriata loves it in the cold greenhouse, the scent is lovely but I
would love the space back!

A. fimbriata is supposed to be quite hardy and about the same as A.
retinodes. That sad, I've only grown it once when I lived in the
Midlands and overwintered most acacias under glass. I find it odd
that A. baileyana fails with you - it is one of the first to flower
here - often opening up a few buds a couple of weeks before Christmas.

Back to fimbriata, I would have said go for it, but then you can't get
baileyana through winters. The best bet is to take a few cuttings in
July (half ripe side shoots with a heel are very easy to root) and
when these have made decent growth, keep them as insurance and plant
your main specimen against a sunny, sheltered wall. It really should
do well in Cornwall, there's no special mystery about it as a species
and in many parts of the world, it is hailed as a 1st class amenity
shrub.


Dave Poole
Torquay, Coastal South Devon UK
Winter min -2°C. Summer max 34°C.
Growing season: March - November
Drop 's' when mailing

I've had a seed-grown A.pravissima in the garden up here in NE England
for 4 years now (Chitlerns Seeds recommends it as the best one to try
outdoors in the UK).
It never seems to suffer in winter and is about 5 ft high now (not
flowered yet though)

Best Wishes,

--
Jeff Taylor

"Dave Poole" wrote in message
...
"arran" wrote:

Hi there, I have a mimosa tree about 4ft. Had it for 2 years still no
flowers, any suggestions? Regards, Sheena.

If it is Acacia dealbata (Florist's Mimosa) it won't flower until it
is reasonably large - around 10-15ft or more - after about 3-5 years
of growth. There are smaller growing Acacias which flower at a more
convenient size and it all depends upon the one you have. Most
Acacias set their flower buds in autumn and these can be damaged or
killed by hard frosts during winter. If pot grown, they are also
vulnerable to drying out and this can also prevent or reduce
flowering. In this country, all Acacias must have full sun at all
times. Otherwise the shoots cannot ripen sufficiently to develop
flower buds.

Then there is the problem of locality. There are some Acacias that
can prove to be very hardy, but many are very susceptible to hard
frosts and prolonged temps below minus 5C. First to go are the flower
buds and then the shoot tips. Young Acacia dealbata can develop trunk
split at temperatures approaching minus 8 or 9C if these persist for
several days and even mature trees can be severely damaged.

The big 'tree' Mimosas (Acacia dealbata, A.baileyana etc.) are really
only suited to growing in warmer parts of the UK. They are often fine
in the warmer 'heat-sinks' found in large cities such as London and
Birmingham and are generally very reliable along the south coast.
Away from those regions growing them is a bit of a lottery. After
all, they are natives of Australia!

HTH

Dave Poole
Torquay, Coastal South Devon UK
Winter min -2°C. Summer max 34°C.
Growing season: March - November
Drop 's' when mailing
arran.

The tree I have is a Armata, has been out in a pot all winter, is very
healthy, lush, but no flowers. It is supposed to flower all summer. I am
on an Island,West Coast Scotland.


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Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
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On Sat, 22 May 2004 22:27:45 +0100, Jeff Taylor
wrote:

I've had a seed-grown A.pravissima in the garden up here in NE England
for 4 years now (Chitlerns Seeds recommends it as the best one to try
outdoors in the UK).
It never seems to suffer in winter and is about 5 ft high now (not
flowered yet though)

A pravissima is one of the toughest of species and can often be
persuaded to grow in seemingly hostile conditions. However, it cannot
be relied upon to flower in the far north because light intensity is
low. It depends upon location and the plant. Always worth trying
though and if it performs, its a bit of a show-stopper.
------------------------------------------------------
....And On Sun, 23 May 2004 21:10:34 +0100, "arran"
wrote:

The tree I have is a Armata, has been out in a pot all winter, is very
healthy, lush, but no flowers. It is supposed to flower all summer. I am
on an Island,West Coast Scotland.

The moderating effects of the Gulf Stream are probably sufficient to
help it through the winter. Acacia armata is hardy in the far south
and along some western coasts, but is not reliable inland. As to
flowering, its performance relates to the intensity and amount of
sunlight in the previous year. The more lush the growth, the great
the risk of more of the same with few if any flowers. I would
certainly restrain it in a pot and don't be too eager to apply
nitrogen rich feeds. A few doses of tomato fertiliser as growth is
maturing (July - September) should help it along.


Dave Poole
Torquay, Coastal South Devon UK
Winter min -2°C. Summer max 34°C.
Growing season: March - November
Drop 's' when mailing

"Dave Poole" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 22 May 2004 22:27:45 +0100, Jeff Taylor
wrote:

I've had a seed-grown A.pravissima in the garden up here in NE England
for 4 years now (Chitlerns Seeds recommends it as the best one to try
outdoors in the UK).
It never seems to suffer in winter and is about 5 ft high now (not
flowered yet though)

A pravissima is one of the toughest of species and can often be
persuaded to grow in seemingly hostile conditions. However, it cannot
be relied upon to flower in the far north because light intensity is
low. It depends upon location and the plant. Always worth trying
though and if it performs, its a bit of a show-stopper.
------------------------------------------------------
...And On Sun, 23 May 2004 21:10:34 +0100, "arran"
wrote:

The tree I have is a Armata, has been out in a pot all winter, is very
healthy, lush, but no flowers. It is supposed to flower all summer. I
am
on an Island,West Coast Scotland.

The moderating effects of the Gulf Stream are probably sufficient to
help it through the winter. Acacia armata is hardy in the far south
and along some western coasts, but is not reliable inland. As to
flowering, its performance relates to the intensity and amount of
sunlight in the previous year. The more lush the growth, the great
the risk of more of the same with few if any flowers. I would
certainly restrain it in a pot and don't be too eager to apply
nitrogen rich feeds. A few doses of tomato fertiliser as growth is
maturing (July - September) should help it along.


Dave Poole
Torquay, Coastal South Devon UK
Winter min -2°C. Summer max 34°C.
Growing season: March - November
Drop 's' when mailing

Many thanks David, for all the info.


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.680 / Virus Database: 442 - Release Date: 09/05/2004

In article , Dave Poole
writes
On Sat, 22 May 2004 22:27:45 +0100, Jeff Taylor
wrote:

I've had a seed-grown A.pravissima in the garden up here in NE England
for 4 years now (Chitlerns Seeds recommends it as the best one to try
outdoors in the UK).
It never seems to suffer in winter and is about 5 ft high now (not
flowered yet though)

A pravissima is one of the toughest of species and can often be
persuaded to grow in seemingly hostile conditions. However, it cannot
be relied upon to flower in the far north because light intensity is
low. It depends upon location and the plant. Always worth trying
though and if it performs, its a bit of a show-stopper.

Thanks Dave - you have to go and spoil it ;-)

Seriously though, it's a nice enough plant for those unusual leaves
alone and if it does actually flower, well that's just an added bonus.

Best Wishes,
--
Jeff Taylor