This plant's yellow flowers are very Sun-like.
This herb's Sun protective power comes out in the use of its resin
as a binder for a blessing incense; its leaves and wood can be infused
in water to make a sacred water for aspurging. Its Air aspect is shown in its connection with the
spiritual. In aromatherapy, it is used for meditation, and in
magick it is connected to invoking visions (often combined with
sandalwood) and for divination. Some have contacted the dead
in dreams after burning star
anise, althaea
(hollyhock) leaves, and acacia leaves as incense in the
sleeping room. This plant also has Neptune and Pluto
influences. (This illustration of A. baileyana is by AJ
Campbell [1921]). For other acacia products, see gum
arabic and catechu).
A. baileyana - Bailey's Acacia Info
This tall shrub (20-30 feet outside) or small tree
is a good choice for miniature bonsai, because it has a good gnarly
trunk. Its yellow flowers are very fragrant and bloom in
spring, although if it is grown as bonsai, it might be hard to get it
to bloom. Even though birds generally do not like to hang out
on acacias because of the thorns, they do like to eat the seeds, which
are borne in brown pods, often curving. This plant can
survive temperatures down to 20 F. This fast-growing plant's general
shape is round--it will get as wide as it is tall. The leaves
are grayish green. Top
Uses in Witchcraft & Magic:
Sun
Herb
Divination
Bonsai Plant
Fragrant flowers
Meditation
Seeds for birds
To germinate, nick the hard seed coats with a nail clipper or file the end. Put them in a thermos of hot water (not boiling) and let them soak for two days. Sow at 2-3 times their width (this depth is a good rule of thumb for most seeds, btw). They will germinate in two weeks. Acacias are warm weather trees. In much of North America, they have to be brought indoors during the winter, although they like it to be below 64 F (and A. baileyana likes it 46-53 F, so they would do well on a sun porch in the winter up north). They like moderate to slightly dry conditions. They are short-lived perennials in zones 10-11 (south Florida or the Northwest). Acacias can get leggy--lots of top growth with lower branches dying back. Pruning will take care of that. You can get more acacias by taking a live cutting in the summer, using a rooting hormone on it, and growing it with bottom heat. This plant is allelopathic--its dropped leaves contain chemicals that prevent other plants from growing where they fall--so the area underneath these trees will not have any plants. If growing inside, put them in full sun and allow the soil to dry between waterings. Use a grow light in the winter, especially to extend the day. If the soil gets too dry, the leaves will fall off. The soil should not be too rich and should drain quickly. Daily misting helps this plant if you live in a dry climate or inside during the winter. This plant enjoys fertilizer. Repot every 2-4 years. General growing info Top
© 2004, 2015 Harold A. Roth; No reproduction without permission. Excerpts must be less than forty words and contain a working link to this site.