I came across a wonderful tree last year on a trip to Israel. It was fragrant and had nice pom-pom flowers and thorns. I took some seed pods home and the FDA didn't give me a hard time. Wasn't exactly sure what I had, and folks here helped me identify the tree as Vachelia Caven. I germinated 8 seeds and eventually killed off 6 of them, keeping the best 2. Seems to be doing well. The trees have now come back indoors for the winter.
Vachelia Caven
- Thread starter dbonsaiw
- Start date
Bonsai Nut
Nuttier than your average Nut
Looks very cool... but I am seeing the world's smallest photos 
LOL, not sure what happened. Take 2.
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I realize I didn't get any decent pics over the summer when it was outside. They were about 6 feet and lanky when I brought them back inside. I cut about two feet off to fit them in the grow tent. Leaves browned somewhat, but it sprang back quick and is all green again.
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n8
Chumono
Nice. We have one of these growing in the park near my house. I have collected seed pods, but have not followed through. I had always assumed it was some kind of acacia, so thanks to whoever helped identify.
Potawatomi13
Imperial Masterpiece
MicroscopicLooks very cool... but I am seeing the world's smallest photos
Potawatomi13
Imperial Masterpiece
Leaves/flowers remind of Calliandra family. Do leaves sleep at night?
they do.
Potawatomi13
Imperial Masterpiece
If not tropical???? Nasty thorns could be at least family key. Can't guess
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.Vachelia Caven seem to grow in zones 9-11. Here's some info I found:If not tropical???? Nasty thorns could be at least family key. Can't guess
The thorns are large and nasty.
I noted that the aroma of the flowers is what originally drew my attention to the tree and have been reading that extracts from the tree are popular in perfumes.
It's a nitrogen fixing tree and I got a chance to see those weird ball things on the roots at last repot. Another interesting fact about the tree is that it seems to concentrate high levels of hydrogen cyanide in the leaves in times of drought.
There seems to much discussion about the tree's drought tolerance. However, I have found that if I wait too long to water I get charred leaves. Perhaps there is larger variation in the gene pool given the far ranging distribution of the tree.
The tree is putting on a fair amount of growth. Here's a comparison of when I brought them in on 11/26 and last Friday. There are now 3 lights overhead and it is hot and humid in the grow tent. (The P. Afras are loving life in there and I may be ready for more tropicals next season).
I'd like to bulk up the trunk a lot more before any big cuts.
I'd like to bulk up the trunk a lot more before any big cuts.
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Just some observations for posterity - I've been reading that the trees are hardy in drought conditions. That said, I am finding brown foliage and even more on the floor. Perhaps the lights are too high, but I'm not convinced this is the issue as there is so much foliage in the same places that are unaffected. Water also doesn't seem to be the issue, but I'm keeping an eye on it. The dead foliage appears to be replaced by even more new foliage, so perhaps this is just part of the tree's life cycle.
Didn't take any pics, but the trees were cut back in the tent. I was finding that the humidity levels in the tent were intense. Walls were dripping with water where branches were overgrown. The trees started to look funny and I noticed the leaves staying closed for longer and some white web-like stuff on some branches which I assumed was not a good sign. As far as I can tell, I am watering properly. The conclusion I came to was that there was just too much stuff in the tent (too much transpiration???). So I cut the vachelia back and things seem fine now. More light as well for everything in the tent now that the shagginess is gone.
Trees went back outside this morning. The thorns fought back as I tried to untangle the trees from each other and bring them upstairs and outside. And now I will worry that it's too hot/too cold etc. and freak out when the tree changes in the slightest bit. Will be fine though.
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I repotted the trees out of their 9 inch round containers that were 7” tall into 13” rounds that are just 4” tall. No idea how the tree responds to a more invasive root pruning, but I am about to find out. Had to remove thorns before attempting to wrangle these guys into new pots.
I did not see any of the nitrogen fixing bacteria this repot. Not sure what to make of that. The tree seems healthy, as does the root system. The soil continues to emit an odor (pretty strong after repot). I have no idea what it is. Again, the roots are healthy - zero sign of root rot or anything funky. I’m starting to think that’s just the way the tree is.
The plan is to continue to grow it wild and then prune just enough to get it back into the grow tent in the fall. We shall see if the pruning causes the tree to backbud lower down.
I did not see any of the nitrogen fixing bacteria this repot. Not sure what to make of that. The tree seems healthy, as does the root system. The soil continues to emit an odor (pretty strong after repot). I have no idea what it is. Again, the roots are healthy - zero sign of root rot or anything funky. I’m starting to think that’s just the way the tree is.
The plan is to continue to grow it wild and then prune just enough to get it back into the grow tent in the fall. We shall see if the pruning causes the tree to backbud lower down.
