Koelreuteria paniculata (Chinese Rain tree)

[Orion_metalhead]

1. Has anyone messed around with this species?

2. Has anyone germinated from seeds?

I picked up a bunch of seeds from a tree by my friends house for germination this coming spring.

Other than knowing the sap contains urushiol and that I must be careful with pruning, any other thoughts?

 

[Orion_metalhead]

So these two are a couple years old. Not much to report. May try a few more from seed, maybe do a forest or something for no good reason, really. Lol. They dont seem to branch naturally. The ones that died were through my own neglect. These two are just survivors. Been repotted once since germination.

 

[Doogliebop]

You're an absolute madman.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

You're an absolute madman.

What did I do!!??

 

[Orion_metalhead]

@Bonsai Nut tree is mislabelled due to crappy google searching. Not toxicodendron (unfortunately).

Can you rename title: "Koelreuteria paniculata (Chinese Rain tree)"

 

[Orion_metalhead]

I WILL FIND SOME POISONOUS STUFF TO GROW. DONT YOU WORRY!!!

 

[NDJWL]

I have to disagree with the consensus. I've had some beautiful results with Koelreuteria. They tolerate root restriction and drying out really well. I haven't tried to grow them for flowers but they make some really nice dwarf trees

 

[Tieball]

A single tree of urushiol. A forest of urushiol. That’s just something I would not do. I can easily be a victim of worst case scenarios. I would not tempt the potential of sap contact and my system's reaction to that sap.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

I have to disagree with the consensus. I've had some beautiful results with Koelreuteria. They tolerate root restriction and drying out really well. I haven't tried to grow them for flowers but they make some really nice dwarf trees

Have any pictures?

 

[nuttiest]

1. Has anyone messed around with this species?

2. Has anyone germinated from seeds?

I picked up a bunch of seeds from a tree by my friends house for germination this coming spring.

Other than knowing the sap contains urushiol and that I must be careful with pruning, any other thoughts?

Oh Wow!
I had searched this as bonsai many times but I called it golden rain tree. Yes, the seeds plant themselves here, more than elm or oak, how could I not try it?
Among bane of my existence trees though.
I will get you photos later today!

 

[nuttiest]

This is the farthest developed with four top branches, they are very hard to get branching without always pulling the leader down below its apex, or where you want a new bud to form.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Thanks! Ill look at your photos closely.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Today. Has two distinct branches now. I think it needs more winter protection than other trees. Im growing another tray.



I might keep the one wild root and drape it over a rock... what do people think?

 

[penumbra]

I'll be watching this. I love these as trees and now I have one to develop as a bonsai.
BTW, I think that single root over the rock is unnatural looking.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Thanks! I agree about it looking unnatural. Doesnt mean its not fun!

 

[nuttiest]

Initital flowers are small and yellow, the next couple of weeks is a rain of these flowers onto the ground, they give way to pink lantern shaped seed pods.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

View attachment 498761View attachment 498762

This is the farthest developed with four top branches, they are very hard to get branching without always pulling the leader down below its apex, or where you want a new bud to form.

How have you found them to react to pruning?

 

[Orion_metalhead]

End of year 3 for this one. #101 if anyone cares.....

I think I am going to pound with fertilizer next spring to see what kind of response I get. It had great fall color....

 

[nuttiest]

Wow fall foliage nice colors!

How have you found them to react to pruning?

Well, they make a lot of foliage and stem as you would expect, but soon you realize they made exactly what was there. Difficulty level just under croton.
I will be trying soybean hormone on a few next year. Does defoliation encourage branching or is that just for leaf size?

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Yeah, I get that impression as well. But do they backbud when you prune? Can you chop them? You have a few so hopefully you know. Im growing more just to test pruning methods.