Geiger Tree Growing Tips
The Geiger tree is a warm-season plant that is native to the West Indies, South Florida, and the Caribbean, this tree is a beautiful garden plant that shoots amazing orange flowers. The Geiger tree can really highlight your garden area, makes a good garden plant if you are living in coastal areas because these plants can hold up well when exposed to the salt sprays. This plant it seems is tailor-made to coastal areas because they do well in salty soils.
The Geiger tree, however, is a slow grower so much patience is needed when growing this plant, the good part to this story is that if you are looking for a low maintenance plant, investing in this garden beauty is worth the effort. Another feature is the rounded dense canopy which will give that much-needed flavor.
While the Geiger tree is low maintenance as far as care is concerned they can make a lot of dirt with the dropping of their fruits. Ensure that the surrounding area is free of fruits at all times to keep a neat clean appearance.
Planting Location
Because the Geiger tree is a full sun-loving plant, look for a location that fits this nature.
Soil Type
The soil type can be either alkaline or sandy soils.
Watering Methods
The soil of the Geiger tree should be allowed to dry somewhat between watering.
Fertilizing Methods
Fertilize with a granular fertilizer 3 times per year during the growing season (spring and summer) will keep your Geiger grow healthy.
Garden insect pests of the Geiger tree
Keep an eye out for these insect pests that will seek to make a meal out of your Geiger tree.
- Geiger Beetle
- Scales
- Mites
- Caterpillars
The Geiger insect
The Geiger beetle is a real concern because I have seen first hand what they can do. They can take a nice healthy looking Geiger and turn it into a nightmare. It is best to take control of this problem as soon as you see signs of the Geiger beetle. These signs include the plant leaves edges being eaten or the leaves will have lots of holes.
The biology of the Geiger beetle is the egg, larvae, pupae, and then adult. The female beetle lays the eggs on the leaves, the larvae have the appearance of a pear shape and are about half of an inch long. The larvae are black and feed on the underside of the leaves including the fruits and the flowers and what makes this more server is that these larvae feed in groups which does great damage.
Once the beetle reaches adulthood they are lime green taking on an oval shape and also feeds on the leaf’s edges. The use of an insecticide that is labeled for insects that eat plant leaves is recommended.
Scales
Scales are tiny insects that remain in a fixed position on garden plants, they appear to be wearing and armor. Scales will suck the fluids from your plant encouraging molds to form on the leaves from their secretion. Their secretion is surgery which will attract ants. These molds which are known as sooty molds will give your plants a sickly appearance. The use of insecticidal soap will offer some help. Before applying chemicals read and follow the manufacturer’s label because the label is the law.
Mites
Mites are tiny insects that can also cause damage. Spider mites will do the same damage as the scale garden insect pest. A sure sign that reveals that you have spider mites is by the leaves of the plants taking on a dusty appearance along with spider webbing. Spider mites are so tiny that they can hardly be seen with the naked eye.
Another way to test this is to hold a sheet of white paper under a leaf that has spider webbing, gently shake or tape the leaf. If you see tiny specks moving around on the white sheet of paper then it is almost certain it is spider mites, you may also feel them crawling around on your hands. The use of insecticidal soap or neem oil will bring these insect pests under control.
Caterpillars
Caterpillars also cause damage by eating the plant leaves. Treat caterpillars the same as you would with the Geiger beetle as discussed earlier.
Diseases of the Geiger
I have worked with the Geiger tree for years and personally, I have never come across any disease this tropical beauty suffers from.
Pruning procedures
Note, it is important to prune your Geiger tree because these trees grow to select a trunk that is single. If not pruned as the tree matures it will develop multiple trunks.
Where to install the Geiger tree
1. This tree can be installed on either side of a door’s main entrance.
2. Can be grown as a stand-alone or specimen plant.
3. Looks great as a centerpiece in a garden plant bed.
4. Can be installed along garden walking pathways.
5. What about along a driveway?
6. Several of them can be planted along fences and walls.
7. How about using them as a backdrop in a garden bed?
Additional information
1. Bees, birds, and butterflies are attracted to the fruit of the Geiger tree.
2. The Geiger tree blooms all year round.
3. The Geiger tree can grow to a height of 25 ft.
The final word
The Geiger tree is an amazing plant that can work wonders. The orange color can brighten up your garden area which I believe is so cool, why not make this beauty a part of your landscape as you add that tropical look?
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About the author
Norman loves being in the garden, both at home and for his job....
he is 'Natures Little helper' being outdoors, growing his vegetables and flowers from an early age.
Now having spent over 22 years in the profession he want to give some of his knowledge to others...
his vast array of hints and tips you will find scattered over this site will help you no end growing plants in your garden.
I transplanted a white Geiger tree about 2 years ago, It finally has nice green leaves and many white flowers and has a single trunk and a height of 19 feet.
Do the branches ever need to be pruned?