Adansonia digitata

Introduction

African Baobab (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Adansonia_digitata#mediaviewer/File:Adansonia_digitata.jpg)

African Baobab (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Adansonia_digitata#mediaviewer/File:Adansonia_digitata.jpg)

Adansonia digitata, or the African Baobab, is an enormous evergreen tree found subtropical regions of Africa including countries like South Africa, Botswana, Tanzania, and Madagascar (NTBG). The tree is restricted to hot, dry regions but lives in various environments outside both the northern and southern edges of tropical regions of Africa, more specifically outside latitude lines 16° N and 26° S (Watson 32). Its semi diverse stretch reaches biomes like scrub, woodlands, wooded savannah, and even semiarid/semi humid tropical regions. The baobab is also considered to be one of the oldest forms of life in Africa, some estimated to be up to 3000 years old (FAO). Due to its broad geographic stretch and deep history, botanists struggle to come up with its clear cut native range (Watson 32).

The African baobab features a massive, water filled trunk that reaches a 28 meter circumference; however, it seldom passes a height of 25 meters. Due to its massive dimensions, it is considered the largest succulent plant in the world (NTBG). The entirety of the tree has a myriad of botanical uses. Its flowers, seeds, bark, and roots are collectively credited to treat malaria, dysentery, diarrhea, asthma, fever, inflammation, among other ailments. Furthermore, the fruit and leaves can be eaten as a good source of vitamin C, as well as the seeds and flowers for protein (FAO). In fact, baobab seeds are a favorite treat of baboons and other monkeys strong enough to crack open the seed pods, which is where it gets its other common name “monkey bread tree” (Watson 21). The leaves are heavily browsed by elephants and various livestock as well. The uses of this highly regarded tree do not end there; its bark fiber is used for clothing, rope, basket weaving and more (FAO), and its trunks and branches are built into barns, jail cells, bus stops, houses, and so much more (NTBG)! Due to its incredible usefulness, the tree is protected in Botswana under its “Monuments and Relics Act,” (Watson 23) and receives voluntary protection in Tanzania. Adansonia digitata does have a few negative characteristics. Despite preferring dry climate, it is ironically sensitive to drought. Also, it matures slowly, taking 20 years (NTBG), so few juvenile trees make it to maturity due to heavy feeding by large herbivores. Another poor feature is it hosts many noxious insects (FAO).

Baboons are a common Baobab visitor for its fruit (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Papio#mediaviewer/File:Papio_cynocephalus_%28Malawi%29.jpg)

Baboons are a common Baobab visitor for its fruit (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Papio#mediaviewer/File:Papio_cynocephalus_%28Malawi%29.jpg)

Although this tree only grows naturally in Africa, it can be enjoyed elsewhere in outdoor landscapes in zones 10b-12. This includes southern states like Florida, Texas, and California. It can be grown further north too as an indoor plant or bonsai tree, given that it receives proper light requirements (full sunlight for at least six hours a day) and water requirements. If it is grown as a bonsai, careful attention must be given to maintenance like pruning both the stems and roots yearly and every two years, respectively (Homeguides).

Baobab as a bonsai (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Adansonia_bonsai.jpg)

Baobab as a bonsai (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Adansonia_bonsai.jpg)

Propagation Techniques

The African baobab is most commonly and successfully propagated by seed. One experiment even yielded a 90% germination rate with in vitro conditions. Air layering, grafting, and cuttings have also been successfully utilized and are considered less costly, but less effective. This is most likely do to the fact that it is a thick, hardwood plant. Tissue culture has proven successful too, using explants from cotyledonary nodes, axillary nodes, and terminal apexes (N’doye). Propagating and diversifying the baobab is a hot topic in horticulture today due to its many practical botanical uses.

Steps for Propagating Adansonia digitata by Seed

1. Acquire the seeds. A packet of five seeds can be purchased form this website: <https://www.horizonherbs.com/product.asp?specific=881>.
2. To double check viability, place the seeds in water. Discard any that float.
3. Scarify the seeds. This can be done using sharp snips or a file. Cut or file the seed midway at the fattest part so the endosperm (white layer) is visible. Only one small bit needs to be exposed. The seed coat is quite thick so be careful to not overdue it, damaging the embryo.
4. Now it’s time to prepare the soil media. Obtain a container, preferably about eight inches deep, and fill it with mixed media that is half organic potting soil and half sand. Humus works in place of sand as well, but when it’s time to transplant a sandier media is preferred for adequate drainage. Remember, baobabs enjoy dry, sandy soil. Organic potting soil and humus/sand can be purchased at your local home and garden supplier. Big box stores like Home Depot, Lowes, and Wal-Mart should supply these as well.
5. Once the seeds are scarified and the media is prepared. Bury the seeds in the soil at about an inch in depth. Space the planted seeds about 4 inches apart.
6. Place the sowed seeds by a window receiving moderate light with a constant temperature of 60-70° F. Do not cover the top of the container and avoid excess humidity.
7. Water the seeds by touch, when the soil feels slightly wet. Avoid overwatering and do not let the water stand by allowing adequate drainage.
8. Now for the waiting game. The seeds should germinate after about ten weeks. Keep watering the seedlings this whole time (see step 7).
9. When the seedlings sprout and reach a height of about four inches, transplant them into a new soil media containing half organic potting soil and half sand.
10. Congratulations! If you have reached this step, you have successfully propagated an African Baobab by seed. Enjoy it as an indoor plant, bonsai tree, or even an outdoor gem if your local climate is right.

Works Cited

“ADANSONIA DIGITATA.” FAO Corporate Document Repository. Forestry Department. Web. 26 Nov 2014. http://www.fao.org/docrep/x5327e/x5327e0g.htm.

“Adansonia digitata.” National Tropical Botanical Garden. 2014. Web. 26 Nov 2014. http://www.ntbg.org/plants/plant_details.php?plantid=131.

“Cultivation.” baobabs. Le Jardin Naturel. Web. 26 No 2014. http://www.baobabs.com/Baobabs_cultivation.htm.

N’doye, Amadou Lamine, Mame Abdou Nahr Sambe, and Mame Oureye Sy. “Propagation of African baobab (Adansonia Digitata L., Bombacoideae, Malvaceae) germplasm through in vitro cloning.” Advances in Environmental Biology (2012): 2749+. Global Reference on the Environment, Energy, and Natural Resources. Web. 30 Nov. 2014. http://find.galegroup.com/grnr/infomark.do?&source=gale&idigest=a63009061cb4723de8392cb6fd0ea984&prodId=GRNR&userGroupName=psucic&tabID=T002&docId=A336176001&type=retrieve&PDFRange=%5B%5D&contentSet=IAC-Documents&version=1.0.

Quarters, Cindy. “How to Care for a Baobab Bonsai.” SFGate. Web. 26 Nov 2014. http://homeguides.sfgate.com/care-baobab-bonsai-30924.html.

Turner, Rachael. “How to Grow a Baobab Tree from a Seed.” eHow. 2014. Web. 26 Nov 2014. http://www.ehow.com/how_7626006_grow-baobab-tree-seed.html.

Watson, Rupert. The African Baobab. Cape Town: Struik Publishers, 2007. Pp 19-32. Print.

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