Tipuana Tree: [Planting, Care, Irrigation, Pruning, Pests]
The Tipuana (also known as tipa, tipa blanca, tipuana palo rosa) is a species of tree that produces small leaves, separated from each other and between which bright yellow flowers are born.
In some areas it is known as Tipuana Tipu or Palo Rosa and it is a very noble and common species in cold climates. It is also considered a fast growing tree, so you will be able to see the results in a short time.
Would you like to have a beautiful and resistant tree in the garden? La Tipuana is an excellent option.
Important points when planting Tipuana
- When? In spring or summer.
- Where? Outside, in full sunlight, with good drainage, away from buildings.
- How do we prepare the land? With nutrients and plowing before sowing.
- How should we water? By drip.
- How often do you have to water? Once or twice a week, when the land is dry.
- What pests and diseases does it have? Common insects and diseases of fungal origin.
Characteristics of the tipuana
The Tipuana is a deciduous tree, which is capable of reaching up to 18 meters in height. Even so, its trunk is much thinner than others of similar species.
It works preferably in environments with warm climates with temperatures around the range of 14 to 18º C. However, it is capable of withstanding cold down to approximately -5º C at very specific times.
The tree produces both flowers and fruits, the latter being responsible for providing the seeds for reproduction. It is important to know that although it produces abundant flowers, they do not remain on the tree for long.
In addition, the fruits it generates are pod-shaped and inside they have a single seed.
Among its main functions is ornamental and protection against gusts of wind.
Where should we plant the tipuana tree?
It needs plenty of sunlight, so it must be kept free from other tree species that can provide shade.
The roots are wide and strong, which makes it possible to recommend that the location of the tree be in an area away from buildings and other species.
As for the type of soil, it needs good drainage to be present and also an appropriate depth.
The preferred consistency is clay and it would even be able to live in those with a high level of salt in its structure.
When should tipuana be grown?
All external transplanting processes must be carried out in the spring so that the species has the best conditions.
However, as the seed collection processes can be carried out in summer and take a month to germinate, they could also be sown in this season.
How do we prepare the land?
The Tipuana needs the soil to be fertile and rich in nutrients, so if these conditions are not available, it is a good plan to work it before sowing.
In addition, a hole with good depth is needed so that the roots can spread comfortably.
The looseness of the soil is important, so if it is a bit compact, the passage of the rake will be more than enough.
How to plant tipuana step by step?
The sowing of the Tipuana can be carried out through the seeds or the cuttings.
Sowing by seeds
- The seeds are obtained in the summer period, being scattered by the wind.
- These will have to be left to dry very well for several days, without rushing them to do the process as it should be.
- After there, they will be buried in a substrate of peat and sand in a seedbed that has good depth.
- It is important that the layer of substrate that remains above the seeds is quite thin to facilitate access to air.
- The process for the seeds to germinate will last from 10 to 30 days , depending on the particular conditions they have.
- When the germination process is over, it will be necessary to transplant to a more suitable place such as a pot.
- Now, the plant will be kept in the pot until it reaches a meter in height and then moved to the garden.
- The hole where the base of the plant is going to be inserted has to be a little deeper than the roots need to ensure that it takes hold.
- The transplant will be done with the ball of soil that comes from the pot, covering it with whatever is needed so that the roots are not exposed.
- Afterwards, it will be necessary to moisten the entire area and cover with a layer of mulch so that the plant can take better advantage of all the moisture.
Planting through cuttings
There are some varieties of Tipuana that accept planting by cuttings, which must be taken from the mother plant during the fall.
These cuttings will be kept in a pot with universal peat to facilitate rooting.
By the time they are removed from the plant, it will be necessary to keep them inside the house protected from frost.
What care does the tipuana need?
Irrigation
Watering will be essential to maintain it in good quantity during the first months, when the plant is still young. Afterwards, it will only be necessary to moisten the soil when it is already dry, probably once or twice a week.
soil and substrate
The Tipuana works based on a symbiosis process with some bacteria that are present in the earth.
These bacteria provide the species with atmospheric nitrogen that is fixed through the roots and fill the plant with nutrients.
For this reason, the fertilization processes are not essential as they are in other classes of species.
pruning
As for pruning, this will be essential as the plant grows to give it a better shape.
What pests and diseases does the tipuana have?
The pests that attack it most persistently are common insects when the fruiting time has not yet come. All of them are possible to combat with the use of commercially available insecticides.
In the case of diseases of fungal origin, they can penetrate through the wounds caused after pruning.
For this reason, it is essential to keep all the tools used in perfect condition and clean.
The Tipuana is a very representative tree with excellent characteristics to promote planting in any area.
How long does the tipuana tree live?
The longevity of the tipuana tree leads it to live up to 200 years.
How long does it take for the tipuana tree to grow?
It grows rapidly and by 6 or 7 years it will already have a large structure formed.
How long does it take to produce fruit?
Between 3 and 4 years will be the average time that the tipuana will take to start developing flowers and fruits if it is in the right conditions.
Can it be grown in a pot?
It is not a species that can be kept in a pot forever.
In fact, it is recommended that it be cultivated in a pot until it reaches a meter in height and then be transplanted into the garden.
How many times does the tipuana tree produce fruit?
It produces fruit only once a year.
Should the tipuana tree be pollinated to obtain fruit?
It is pollinated by a determinate wasp. This leads to the need to plant in an area where they exist to ensure the flowering of the tree.
How cold can the tipuana tree tolerate?
The maximum that it tolerates cold is -5° C, having the tree below that range will make it suffer.
How many tipuana trees can be planted per hectare?
Being a large tree, between 100 and 200 specimens per hectare can be planted. It all depends on the shape of the terrain.
What type of fertilizer does the tipuana tree need?
It does not need much attention in terms of fertilization.
If the substrate is fertile, they are not needed. If you are poor, with a layer of annual compost, it will be more than enough.
How much heat and/or drought can the tipuana tree tolerate?
It likes warm temperatures, but it is better that it is not exposed to excessively high temperatures that exceed 32° C.
It is able to tolerate drought after it is well established. While it is young, frequent watering must be maintained.
