Common name:
Silk floss tree

Origin:
South America

Minimum temperature:
-5 degrees Celcius

Description:
The silk tree (silk floss tree) originates from the (sub)tropical regions of southern South America and comes from the same family as the baobab and kapok tree. Just like the kapok tree, the silk tree produces some sort of cotton fluff, but of poorer quality so it cannot be woven. It’s often used for packaging materials, traditional canoe’s and the production of paper and rope. The species is hardier than the kapok tree and can withstand light frost. That’s why it can be kept as a container plant in a sunny spot. The growth goes fast, so you should prune it. The trunk has spines and is thickened at the bottom so it can store water. That’s why this species is also quite resistant to periods of drought. The white-pink flowers are about 15 cm wide and are pollinated in nature by the famous Monarch butterflies.

Germination instructions:
First soak the seeds in water for 48 hours. Then sow them in sowing mix and let them germinate at around 25degC. Keep the soil constantly moist. 

Sowing time:
All year round

Difficulty:
Average

Photo 1: Mauro Guanandi via Flickr