{"product_id":"red-silk-cotton-10-bag","title":"Red Silk Cotton - 10\" Grow bag","description":"\u003cp\u003eBombax ceiba (Red Silk Cotton or Semal) is a grand, fast-growing deciduous tree native to India and a striking sight in spring when its bare branches blaze with large, cup-shaped scarlet flowers. Reaching 20-40 m, the tall straight trunk often bears conical thorns when young. After flowering it produces pods filled with soft silky cotton (kapok) used for stuffing. The blossoms are rich in nectar, drawing birds, bees and squirrels, and are also used in regional cuisine and traditional medicine. A classic avenue, park and temple tree, Semal offers shade, spectacular seasonal colour and ecological value across the Indian plains.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFamily\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMalvaceae (Bombacaceae)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eNative region\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndian subcontinent and tropical Asia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eMature height\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20-40 m\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eMature spread\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8-15 m\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eGrowth rate\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFast\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFoliage\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeciduous, palmately compound leaves\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFlower colour\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBright scarlet red\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFlower season\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLate winter to spring (Feb-April)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eClimate zone\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTropical and subtropical\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eSunlight\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eWatering\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater young trees regularly; mature trees are drought-tolerant.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eSoil \/ mix\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeep, well-drained loamy or alluvial soil.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eTemperature\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThrives 20-45°C; tolerates heat well.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eHumidity\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdapts to dry and humid climates.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFertilizer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApply compost or manure yearly; little feeding needed once established.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePruning\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimal; remove dead or damaged branches only.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eRepotting\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant directly in ground; not suited to long-term pots.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePropagation\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBy seeds and cuttings.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePests \u0026amp; problems\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLargely pest-resistant; occasional borers.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eToxicity \/ safety\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNon-toxic; parts used in food and medicine.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEasy once established.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eUses\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGrown as an avenue, park and shade tree; yields kapok cotton for stuffing, while flowers, calyx and roots are used in regional cuisine and Ayurvedic medicine.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGrowing tips\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGive it full sun and deep, well-drained soil with ample space, as it grows large and fast; water young saplings regularly through the first summers until the deep roots establish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow often should I water a young Semal?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eWater young trees regularly during the first two or three years, especially in summer. Mature trees are drought-tolerant and need little watering.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow much sunlight does it need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt needs full sun to grow well and flower; it is not suited to shaded sites.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eIs Semal safe around pets and people?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes, it is non-toxic; its flowers, calyx and roots are even used in regional cuisine and traditional medicine.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCan I grow it in a pot?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eOnly as a young sapling temporarily. It becomes a very large tree and must be planted in open ground with space.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow do I propagate it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003ePropagate from seeds, which germinate readily, or from large branch cuttings planted in the ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhen does it flower?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt blooms in late winter to spring, roughly February to April, on bare leafless branches.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhat is the cotton from the pods used for?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe soft silky fibre, called kapok, is used for stuffing pillows, mattresses, cushions and life jackets.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow big does it get?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt is a large tree reaching 20-40 m tall with a wide spreading crown, so it needs a big, open location.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eDoes it have thorns?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eYoung trunks and branches often bear stout conical thorns, which usually disappear as the tree matures.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhat fertilizer does it need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eApply compost or well-rotted manure once a year when young; established trees need little or no feeding.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"vedicflora","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51256317214966,"sku":"PLT-REDSILKCOTTO-B10-NA","price":99.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0805\/4980\/6326\/files\/nurserylive-plants-bombax-malabaricum-red-samel-plant-16968647180428.png?v=1783923629","url":"https:\/\/vedicflora.com\/products\/red-silk-cotton-10-bag","provider":"vedicflora","version":"1.0","type":"link"}