Radermachera sinica

Upon receipt of your Radermachera sinica you have several options:

• Stand it in an attractive planter with holes in the base. Cover the holes with a layer of gravel or potsherds and stand the plant, complete with nursery pot on top of the gravel. The planter will need to be stood in a dish to collect drained off water.
• Pot it up into an attractive planter with holes in the base. Cover the holes with a layer of gravel or potsherds and add potting compost. Stand the root ball at the correct depth and fill the pot with compost around the roots. Press firmly down - leave a space of about 3 cm from the top edge of the pot. Stand the planter in a dish to collect drained off water.
• Stand it in an attractive planter without holes but do layer the bottom of the pot with gravel so the plant's pot is off the bottom. A wide planter is best as then you can see whether or not the bottom of the pot is standing in water or not.
• Or just stand the plant, nursery pot and all, on a dish - on a layer of gravel, or just directly on the dish.

  The best spot for your Radermachera sinica The most perfect spot for your Radermachera sinica is:

1. One with lots of light but that is sheltered from the hottest mid-day sunlight - early mornings or evenings are not a problem (in fact it will appreciate it!). Usually somewhere around 3 metres from a window is ideal.
2. Somewhere warm - 18-23 degrees centigrade - wonderful if you happen to have under floor heating. Immediately next to or above a radiator will not be appreciated (it will dry the potting compost out too quickly, giving more chance of leaf drop).
3. Somewhere with high humidity (60-70%). Spraying the plant regularly will help - 2 or 3 times a day even!

 

Keep your Radermachera sinica growing well with a weekly watering - add plant food for leafy plants to the water fortnightly. During the summer you can water twice a week but only when the potting compost feels dry to the touch. Radermachera Sinica has a natural dormant period in November and December and will then require less watering and no feed. Continue as before after the dormant period is past.
In living rooms with a low humidity (< 50%) the plant will appreciate being sprayed once or twice a day. A chalky residue will show on leaves in areas with hard water so we advise using rainwater or cool boiled water for spraying.
Extra tips On a warm, rainy day as long as there is not too much sun, your Radermachera Sinica will appreciate being stood outdoors,. It will really perk up after a shower.

As in its natural habitat, it will regularly lose its lower leaves - do not worry if they turn yellow and drop off, as long as it continues to make new ones.

Remember all of the above and you can keep your Radermachera sinica healthy and looking fresh for a long time.
If the plant gets too large or gets bare branches you can give it quite a heavy pruning. It will produce new shoots and will regain a new fresh look.

Radermachera sinica is a robust houseplant that is easy to grow. The small glossy bipinnate leaves are very attractive.
This Radermachera sinica is originally derived from the tropical forests of China and Taiwan. They become quite large plants in the (sub) tropical regions of the world and are used as a decorative plant in public places, this tree can be 30 meters high.
In temperate climates the Radermachera sinica is a very popular houseplant. It grows well and can also be pruned!
 
Radermachera been classified among the catalpa family (Bignoniaceae).