Pemphis Acidula

[dbrock]

This is one fof the most beautiful tropicals I have ever seen. My question to any and all is how can we get it in the US and what zones will it survive in?

[clrosner]

If you ever do obtain seeds or a cutting, these trees need to be sprayed with ocean water on a weekly basis. I had obtained a few seeds, but they didn't make it. I had kept them indoors with all my tropical trees.

Here are the instructions I was given:

Please sow the seeds in coarse sea sand or coral rocks no soil please, add sphagnum moss and mist regularly. This plant grows very fast in warm and bright conditions. I spray brine solution on the leaves at least once a week. You can feed everyday! They are always hungry LOL.

Happy growing,


Be sure to put a layer sphagnum moss on the beach sand. This sand must be coarse to ensure good drainage. Just scatter the seeds on the sphagnum moss. They should be germinating in 2 weeks. They grow very fast. You can have plenty of Mame in a year.

[bonsaihunk]

I do not know of any US source for this material.
I grew several seedlings a few years ago.. They grew very slowly and ultimately died in a year or two.
Jerry

[dbrock]

Well, I live about an hour from the beach and about twenty minutes from a cove that is salt water so no problem there. It gets hot and humid in Houston so summer outdoor growth or even greenhouse growth should do well. Do you remember where you got seeds or seedlings from?

[clrosner]

Try Googling for Pemphis seeds!!!

[bonsaihunk]

I don't know where you can get seeds.
Sorry.
Jerry

[dbrock]

Holy cow! I think I located seeds. I contacted people through Facebook and I found someone who said he would collect me some seeds.

[dbrock]

This may just be absolutely crazy! And that is what I like about it. I have found someone in Indonesia that will export to the US. There is a plant inspection and Import station in Houston at the airport. I have talked with the Import station and they are helping me get everything I need to be able to import on my own. Houston area is a zone 8/9 area. Pemphis typically does best in Zone 10. I may be starting a Pemphis import company, maybe other bonsais later.

[clrosner]

Go for it! BUT, Keep us informed!!!