Erythrina arborescens, commonly known as Himalayan Coral Tree or Eastern Coral Bean, is a small spiny deciduous tree native to the Himalayas and southern China that produces stunning orange-red flowers. Seeds have a hard coat that requires scarification or hot water treatment to improve germination rates. Fresh seeds typically germinate within 4-6 weeks at warm temperatures (20-25°C).
Before sowing
Hot water treatment or mechanical scarification followed by warm water soaking for 24 hours. For floating seeds after soaking, gently scarify and re-soak before sowing.
Sowing
What to expect
Tips
Use a float test to check seed viability before treatment. Keep the substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged to prevent damping off. Provide bright light after seedlings emerge. Thin seedlings to prevent overcrowding. Once seedlings reach 10-15 cm height, gradually acclimate to outdoor conditions if growing outdoors. These legumes fix atmospheric nitrogen and prefer sunny locations with well-drained soil.
Sources: Plant World Seeds, tropical.theferns.info, Useful Tropical Plants Database (Ken Fern), Kew Royal Botanic Gardens, Mediterranean Plants (PIAC), commercial seed retailers
