I remember googling boab growth in perth about a year ago upon buying this plant, and ended up here, so I couldnt help but show off what an amateur can do!!

I bought this plant at a little old ladies home/nursery down the road from me about a year ago. Having travelled quite a lot in the North West I couldn't help but take this guy home with me. The lady who was working there told me that she had no idea where they came from and that she'd only just noticed they were there until I came and enquired. There were two plants, both with a hand written tag saying "Adansonia Gregorii Boab". She knew what a Boab was but couldnt tell me anything other than, "well, good luck"...

When I bought the plant he was a similar height to what he is now and covered in lovely foliage. About a month after buying him he dropped all of his leaves and realising they are deciduous I wasn't bothered. I left him alone, with my own theory of trying to create a sort of wet/dry season for him. I kept him away from water all winter and never watered him, effectively creating the "dry" season. I had NO idea if this guy was alive or not, but I stuck at it and put up with the groning from my girlfriend about growing a dead "stick".

Then about two months ago, BAM! I noticed one morning one little green hint of shoot from one branch of my Boab and I did a song and dance around the house, much to the dismay of my poor girlfriend.

Now all I've been doing is giving him rashings of water, again, effectively creating the "wet" season, and hes going crazy now!!

If I can get him to flower I think I'll throw a party.

Just thought I'd share as I couldn't personally find any info on this when I bought him, and it's pretty nifty considering I only live about 1.5 km from the city centre.

Maybe an expert might be able to help me with the idea of replanting in a bigger, nicer pot. He's only living in the little plastic he came in, however I'm worried to disturb him as he's so happy the way he is.

Thanks for checking my ol' mate Boab out and hope you enjoy him as much as I do!!

Note: I am now aware of the difficulties in posting images. Anyone interested just email me and I'll show off my Boab to you! :)

Several years back they transplanted a full sized one from Warmun to Perth by roadtrain. The tree was estimated to be about 750 years old. Don't know where it ended up, haven't heard anything about it since. Maybe it's in Kings Park. If you ring them they'll probably be able to tell you. I don't think they would have spent so much effort and money if they didn't think it would survive.

Boabs can grow fairly quickly so you might find before long there's not a pot large enough to hold it. You may end up having to put it in the ground. Unless you want to try and bonsai it. I wouldn't be surprised if it took well to being bonsaied.