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Chorisia
speciosa, the Silk Floss tree or Kapok tree, is a
decorative tree from the baobab family that originates
from Brazil and Argentina. It grows up to 20 meters high
and 20 meters wide. Its spectacular blooming attracts
every eye.
The plant blooms mostly in autumn. The large white, pink
or red flowers are very attractive and measure up to 12
cm long. The foliage is semi-persistent and light green.
The leaves fall off right before blooming, so the flowers
cover the entire tree. The trunk is green and has large
grey spikes covering it as it gets older. It is easy to
cultivate. Prune before the next blooming season.
Hardiness zone 10 (1°C/35°F) in winter. Chorisia
speciosa is not very resistant to frost. Under -5°C, the
plant dies. It prefers a fresh environment and a soft
climate.
Keep your young plant away from strong winds, but always
give light and sun to it. It can be cultivated in a
glasshouse with a temperature over 15°C. Water regularly
when the tree is growing flowers, but reduce at the end
of summer and in winter.
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