What is Kapok? Is it a flower or a tree?

1. What is Kapok

Kapok is also known as climbing flower, red cotton, hero tree, spotted tree, etc. It is a large deciduous tree belonging to the Baphometaceae family. Its origin is in India, where it grows in tropical and subtropical regions. The height is between 10 and 25 meters, with palmately compound leaves. When blooming, the flowers grow solitary in the leaf axils at the top of the branches. The flower color is red, sometimes orange-red, and very bright. The ornamental value is relatively high during the flowering period.

2. Is Kapok a flower or a tree?

Kapok is a large deciduous tree belonging to the Bombacaceae family. It is not a flower but a tree, and the tree height is between 10 and 25 meters. It mainly grows in dry and hot river valleys and treeless grasslands below 1400-1700 meters above sea level. It can also be found in monsoon rain forests in valleys, and many of them are cultivated as street trees. It likes a sunny, dry and warm growing environment, and is afraid of water, humidity and low temperatures. When cultivating, it is best to use loose, fertile, well-drained and slightly acidic soil. Such a soil environment is conducive to its growth.

3. Cultivation technology of kapok

If cultivated in dry and hot areas, flowers usually bloom before leaves grow, but if cultivated in a rainforest climate, flowers and leaves usually exist at the same time. The seedlings require more water during the stage, so the soil needs to be moist, watered regularly, and fertilized once a month. After it reaches adulthood, its drought resistance will be enhanced, so you should reduce watering and not water unless the plant is dry.