How to Fertilize Royal Poinciana Trees

The royal poinciana is a showy tree in flower. For several weeks in during spring and summer, it is covered with flame-red flowers, 4 to 5 inches across. Even up close the flowers are striking, with four spoon-shaped scattering scarlet or orange-red petals about 3 inches long, Royal poincianas reach 30 to 40 feet tall, but their graceful sunshade-like canopy can be wider than their height. It sheds its leaves in climates that have marked seasons, but in Florida and other areas where the winter is warm and humid, it is a semi-evergreen tree all year. It must be fertilized regularly to maintain its appearance.

Things You'll Need

• Nitrogen fertilizer

Instructions

1. Fertilize a newly planted tree at four to six weeks after planting during the morning to get them off to a good start, then three times per year for the next three years. Apply one of the annual fertilizations in February and one in October, or apply fertilizer in March and September, with the third application in mid-summer.

2. Fertilize established trees every three to five years during spring months, but if they are growing where there are shrubs and grass, they will not need any additional fertilizer

3. Calculate the amount of fertilizer you'll need by measuring the area under the tree. Apply 1 lb. of nitrogen fertilizer per 1,000 square feet.

4. Apply fertilizer to the ground of the mulched and grassy areas around the tree and out to a space no more than 1 1/2 to 2 times the canopy diameter.

Tips & Warnings

• The royal poinciana should not be exposed to temperatures below about 45 degrees F. According to the University of Florida IFAS Extension, nitrogen fertilizers that should be 30 to 50 percent water-insoluble so the roots can soak up the fertilizer over a long period.

References

• Floridata
• Gardening Education
• The University of Florida IFAS Extension

Resources

• The USDA Hardiness Zone Map