Question
I SAW CORAL TREES IN BLOOM AND THEN THE LONG BROWN SEED PODS ---I COLLECTED SOME BEFORE GOING HOME.  WILL THE CORAL TREE GROW IN VERRRRY HOT PLACES?  LIKE LAS VEGAS, NEVADA? I HAVE NEVER SEEN ONE, AND I THINK IT MUST BE BECAUSE IT'S TOO HOT.  I STILL HAVE THE PODS BECAUSE THEY ARE SO STRIKING, BUT I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET THEM TO GERMINATE INSIDE IN A PEAT POT.


Answer
Hi Carrie,
Thanx for your question.  I think the tree you're talking about is Erythrina.  Here's a link to some pictures:
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=erythrina&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi

It is hard from zone 10-12 so it's pretty much a tropical although I understand the roots will overwinter in warmer zone 8.  I don't think the heat will be a problem for you to grow it as much as your winter would be but you could try it anyway.

To get the seed to germinate, you need to nick or file away the coat on the seed.  Just rub with a file until you have rubbed away a small part of the the hard outer coating.  I would then soak the seed in warm water for a week, changing the water if it gets cloudy, then plant the seed about 1/2 inch deep in a pot, keep it warm and watered but well drained.  As a member of the legume family (beans and peas) it should germinate in a couple of weeks if not sooner.  I hope this helps.
Tom