Sometimes call the West Native American mahogany or Cuban burnt sienna , the Florida burnt sienna tree ( Swietenia mahagoni ) rarely appears in nurseries , so nurseryman hop-skip to grow one of these semi - deciduous spectre trees may have to grow it themselves . Fortunately , Florida mahogany trees grow very well from source , which command no pretreatment to bourgeon .
In just a few month , you will have a transplantable seedling that will beautify gardens and landscaping in icing - free climate within USDA plant life hardiness zones 10 to 11 . Be warned , however , that these trees are dissipated growers , at a rate of roughly 3 or 4 feet per yr .
Warning
This Florida native Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree is an endangered species , so do not gather seeds from fantastic tree diagram without the appropriate permission .
Gathering Seeds From a Florida Mahogany Tree
Florida mahogany trees flower in spring , producing masses of invisible flowers . The cross-pollinate flowers later develop into arboreous yield or seed seedcase that are 2 to 4 inches recollective , which reach full ripeness in autumn and wintertime . In late winter , the seedpod begin to crack loose to reveal the wing seeds at bottom .
Starting Florida Mahogany Seeds
Florida mahogany come need very small coaxing to successfully germinate — just pot them up and seedling will emerge in two to four weeks .
Florida mahogany seedling quickly produce foliage after germination , then the seedling rest for a month or more before making more leaves . Transplant the seedling into the garden after the second set of leaves matures .
Tip
plant the pot on a propagation mat if temperature fall below 68 ° F .
Growing Florida Mahogany Tree Seedlings
If engraft correctly , Florida Venetian red trees need very little hands - on care or attention . select the correct growing site and providing the right care after planting will help get your Florida reddish brown seedling off to the proper starting .
Choosing a Planting Site
- Sunlight :* * Young Florida mahogany trees grow advantageously under mottled shade , while matured Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree will grow well in full sun as long as the soil is moist . A enceinte opening between other , similarly sized trees is an ideal planting land site .
- filth :* * Established Florida mahogany tree are drought - tolerant , but the untested tree ask regular wet . Soil that is too soaked can make fungous issue in young trees . So choose a location in your backyard with undecomposed drainage .
- Space :* * Florida mahogany trees are fast - farm , turgid trees that may not work well in smaller backyard . Also , they do not make good street trees due to their large beginning . prefer a planting emplacement away from structures and overhead lines .
Planting Florida Mahogany Tree Seedlings
Florida mahogany planting and aftercare is straightforward . plant the seedling in a sheltered location outdoors for a few days before displace it to its permanent planting situation .
Florida mahogany trees need unconstipated watering early - on to encourage the ontogenesis of a deep , extensive base system . Provide an inch of piddle each week during their first summertime in the garden . After the first year , H2O only during menses of extended drought or utmost heat .
A2 - inch - thicklayer of mulch open in a3 - foot - diam circlearound the seedling will help conserve stain wet — just make indisputable that the mulch * * does n’t repose against the groundwork of the seedling , * * because it can cause rot .
