Thanks for the welcome... all
It feels good to "feel better".
The same has been said (in my reseaarch) of 'this' tree, about the worms... perhaps it 'is' the same one?
Yes it is the same. I did learn something very interesting-the Catalpa worm can literally defoliate a catalpa tree and the catalpa tree is it's only host. Unless it can adapt to other trees, the catalpa worm (Sphinx moth) would be extinct without the tree. The worm is prized in the south for fishing thus the common name "the Fist Bait Tree". Cool, huh? :clown:
the tree is sparce although it flowers well, but has poor branch growth and is far from the 'grandure' of the specimines in the links I posted.
You are an astute observer, Angie. Yes that is a characteristic of C. Bignonia, I read that yesterday. It is SO weird that I bought this unusual plant at the nursery on Sunday and you are asking about one of it's relatives today. The plant I bought is called Yellow bells -Mayan Gold. Bignonia amarilla. In order to get branches with my plant, I need to cut it back "hard" in the spring, but they will still flower profusely without all the branches.
Because these plants flower in clusters, they are very attractive to pollinators and they are self fertile BUT just because you have a lot of flowers, it doesn't necessarily mean you will have a lot of seeds. Unfortunately what little I could find about reproduction with Catalpa speciosa says that this tree falls under that category. From what I have read, it probably has to do with the size of the inflorescences.
Things that can influence fruiting:
Disease, insects and rodents can alter seed production. You didn't mention any of these things. With disease I'm talking about fungus, wilt, rot, blight, etc. Insects -there are insects that will attack flowers only, which in turn, will stop seed production, especially look for gall on your tree. Many of my honeysuckles at our old home would flower, but not seed, because of gall. I have never seen any kind of gall on a Catalpa though. :shrug:
Culture-as I said, this tree is almost weedy in areas, even here in WI, it can be weedy if conditions are right. I don't think that's the problem. Unless you are having a problem with other plants, shrubs, trees not producing seeds, you could look to culture or soil problems-but these guys will grow in almost any type soil. Usually, if a plant is growing in conditions that doesn't suit it, it just will not bloom-not the problem here.
Some plants need specific pollinators to reproduce (I'm talking certain species of insects) again- not the problem.
Genetic reasons like the one described above.
Climate stress can be an issue for seed production. Last year, you may have had adequate temperatures to produce flowers and temps too cool to produce "fruit" which is what the seed is. We are having a problem this year with tomatoes setting fruit. We are having an extraordinarily cool summer this year. I have one lousy tomato on one of my plants, even though it had several blossoms on it at one time. Some plants won't bounce back from that because even though we have a hot August, the days are getting shorter and the life cycle (flower/fruit) is coming to an end.
My advice would be to keep a keen eye on seed production this year. You may get a few seeds if you keep your eyes peeled and birds don't steal them or the wind doesn't blow them away. One thing I would try- tie netting around any green seed pod you find, allow a lot of room for seed growth, they can get very long. You will get better germination if you can allow the seed to stay on the tree all winter, rather than trying to start your seed in the fall -but try both ways-the goal is to get your tree, right?
I have a book recommendation for you or any other serious gardener. It is called Hortus Third. It came out way back in the 70's, back when I could never afford such a book, having just graduated from school. It is known as the horticulturist's bible. It reads like a college textbook, but you will never find any more thorough reference to plant identification and culture for horticulture in North America. It is still an expensive book-but thankfully the internet brings us more sources to purchase from and you can find it dirt cheap-pun intended.
Erika- LOL!!!!!
