Fireworks display in the garden

By Gardener Jack

FROM the middle of January to the middle of February the shooting star tree (Clerodendrum quadriloculare) puts on its magnificent display that resembles an explosion of fireworks.

A shooting star tree in full bloom is one of the most magnificent of all plants. Alas, like many real firework shows, the display is all too brief.

In the Marsh Harbour area of Abaco there were perhaps two or three clerodendrums; now there are hundreds. Not only are they attractive trees, they are easy to propagate from root suckers.

So easy, in fact, that the owner has to take great care that a mini forest of clerodendrums does not take hold.

When not blooming, the clerodendrum is a very attractive shrub growing to about 10 feet.

The elongated leaves are coarse and able to withstand drought quite well, green on the top surface and purple below.

A slight breeze causes the predominantly green-showing leaves to flash glimpses of purple, a lovely combination.

It is the flowers that stun, however. They produce masses of flowers that terminate in petals that turn back on themselves.

Another descriptive name for the clerodendrum is starburst.

The virtue of easy propagation may very well be a negative factor. Were the plant to transfer to the wild it would propagate so easily that it may become an invasive species.

Care should be taken if children are around because the plant is poisonous.

If you have a clerodendrum I would suggest you remove and destroy root suckers as they appear.

Do not leave the chore for too long as, once established, the suckers are hard to get out of the ground.

Clerodendrum quadliloculare grows best in full sun or partial dappled shade and is very undemanding as to soil type or general maintenance.

Avoid pruning the tree after October as this will interfere with the tree's blooming cycle.

The record warm temperatures of December gave way to an extended cool period during the first two weeks of January.

Nothing, except for fire, affects the foliage of plants more than the wind.

Those cold breezes of early January ripped banana leaves to shreds and then turned them yellow.

My young breadfruit tree is looking positively anaemic and the young mango and longan leaves are suffering.

Several fruit trees shed their leaves in early winter and these are more able to cope with the debilitating effects of the wind.

In my first article of the new year I should have mentioned that January is a good month to plant onion seeds.

Onions respond to the length of each day and grow better and bulb fatter when the days are growing longer.

I do not grow bulbing onions but scallions and other forms of non-bulbing onions also do better after December than before.

Winter is a fine time to start growing Irish potatoes. You will find that those sold in stores are developing clusters of 'eyes' and these can be cut away from the potato and planted independently.

Allow the slips containing eyes to dry for a few days and then dip each into a very weak solution of bleach.

Plant your slips bud-side up about five inches deep after ensuring that the soil below has been well worked over.

Leave the hole open and add soil little by little as stalks grow from the slips. Mound the soil around the base of the plant once the foliage is well above ground.

Within two to three months the foliage will begin to die off. This is harvesting time.

If your potatoes are on the small side you are blessed with 'new' potatoes, a gastronomic gem.

I find that the red varieties of potato from the supermarket are the most reliable producers but it also makes sense to try some of the more exotic and expensive potatoes like Klondike purple and fingerling.

* For any comments or questions contact gardenerjack@coralwave.com.

Published On:Tuesday, January 26, 2010