Seed Planting Bonanaza & Happy Canada Day

Right before finding a job in Calgary I purchased a bunch of seeds online.  They arrived a few weeks before I left so I didn't have the opportunity to start them but I did take them with me.  Now that I have a balcony garden up and running I figured it was about time to fuel my tropical/rare plant addiction.

Now I didn't start all of my seeds, but there are seven varieties.  Two were impulse purchases I made while getting the pots and soil.  These include Ensete ventricosum (labelled Ensete musa which doesn't exist) and Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm).  My seeds from before the move are Musa velutina (Dwarf Pink Banana), Passiflora caerulea (Blue Passion Flower), Lycium chinense (Wolfberry, Goji Berry), Brugmansia versicolor (Fragrant Peach Angel's Trumpet), and Eucalyptus pulverulenta (Silver-Leaved Mountain Gum).

Now I'm really hoping these seeds sprout and do well.  The climate is Calgary is cooler than southern Ontario and a lot dryer.  I'll have to pay special attention to watering and if they heat doesn't seem like it's enough, I might have to get some heat mats and grow lights.

To my fellow Canadians, happy Canada Day!

Pomegranates Sprouting (Punica granatum)

Pomegranate's are one of my favourite fruits.  A few days ago I realized that this is one of the few plants I haven't tried to grow from seed.  After eating a large fruit I saved about a dozen seeds.  I made sure to clean each one well, washed them, then let them dry for about a week.  Next the seeds were soaked for about 24 hours and planted in a general mix at about 23C.  Within about a week, these sprouts are coming up.  Allegedly pomegranates are easy to sprout so I expect to see most of them germinate.

The local greenhouses have the dwarf cultivar which only grows to 2m (6') or a max of 1m (3') or so in a container.  The fruit of these dwarfs is about the size of a golf ball.  Although I intend to keep my plants in pots, I wanted something that gets bigger and would produce larger fruit.  Maybe I'll actually see some in a few years.  Only time will tell.

Cassabanana Seeds Sprouting (Sicana odorifera)

I received my Cassabanana seeds a few months ago but decided to wait a few months before sowing them.  I stored them in the fridge for about two months and amazingly I've had 100% germination!  I soaked them for five days before planting.  I actually forgot about them and was worried they'd end up drowning but I guess it ended up being perfect. They were soaked at room temperature then kept at about 24C. The roots are already almost to the bottom of the pots (about 15cm) so I get the feeling these are going to be some extremely quick growing plants.

Here you can see them two days ago, just starting to break the surface:

Today you can see that 9/10 are fully vertical with open leaves and 1 is still on the way up (hidden in the farthest pot behind another seedling). I'm thinking these will need to be transplanted within two weeks at most.  I might have to pot them up at the local greenhouses just to make sure they have enough room.

Now I have no idea if I'll ever get fruit from these.  They need a long growing season and although we have warm, humid summer in south-western Ontario the season isn't long enough.  I'm hoping I'll see some by starting them this early so hopefully I'll have at least one fruit by the end of the summer!

Seedlings!!! (Jacaranda, Schizolobium, Delonix)

I only planted this batch of seeds a week ago and I already have a bunch of sprouts! I purchased them from a seller in India via ebay. They took about a month to arrive but I'm extremely impressed with the quality of seeds.

First off are the Royal Poinciana (Delonix regia). They started sprouting within 3 days after planting! I put two seeds in each pot (actually reused plastic cups) and by today 9 out of 12 have sprouted. That's a 75% germination rate in just one week. At first I thought they looked a little lanky and needed to be moved closer to the light. After a quick google image search, it turns out this is normal and there's no need to worry.

Second to sprout were the Brazilian Tree Fern (Schizolobium parahybum). I Planted five per 6" (15cm) pot which seemed like a good idea at the time. After seeing the size of the sprouts I'm wondering if that was a good idea. The seedlings are giant! I guess that's to be expected of a plant that's said to have the largest compound leaves in the world.

Finally, yesterday my first Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia) seedling began to sprout.  It's not even out of the soil yet, but I had to take a photo. You can just barely see it in the top right cell. You might have to click for a bigger image. :) I just noticed all three species have compound leaves. Coincidence?

I didn't have any Tomatillo sprouts yet so I decided to dig one up and see what was happening. No signs of germination at all. I looked them up again and found out putting the seeds in a freezer for 24 hours can speed germination. They are currently sitting in the freezer, soil and all until later today. Hopefully most will sprout within another week.

I also haven't seen any sprouts from my Screw Pine seeds. I expect these ones to take longer and figure I'll see the first sprouts within two more weeks or so.

Seed Planting

I should finally be getting my phone back tomorrow. To repair it will cost an outrageous $1080, substantially more than the price of the phone. I'll probably just deal with the problems and phone for the next little while. Then I'll have to figure out if it's cheaper just to cancel my contract and get a free phone with someone else. Hmmm...

I have had literally nothing sprout from the first shipment (from a seller in Canada). A lot of the seeds I purchased take a while, but not even the figs have sprouted. I'm a little worried this batch of seeds experience a hard freeze somewhere in shipment. I'll have to wait a few more weeks to see if anything happens.

Luckily my shipment arrived from India a few days ago. I've already soaked and planted everything. Now just to wait and hope I'm treated with some sprouts. I took pictures of all the seeds. I'm surprised how large some of them are!

Brazilian Tree Fern (Schizolobium parahybum)

 Royal Poinciana (Delonix regia) after scarring and soaking 24 hours, notice the two upper right seeds haven't swollen and are not ready to plant.

Tamarillo (Solanum betaceum syn. Cyphomandra betaceum) and Royal Poinciana

Screw Pine (probably actually Pandanus fascicularis)

Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia) - bottom packet

Happy Halloween! Germinating Nepenthes rowanae

Source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY-UlGhNnbYlm8i73AFA66MYVycgX9m8HrrUJ7Ga9NdLVuWEEhKcKBeVBorlwLb8agbS5Ld9SFFYqy8VWwAkjGchxokuupOVuiEd2ZzP0SlYh4Fjv8PXzqKHL-g26E0B30_jbZMTwcVL0/s1600/P1210991.JPG

    In honour of Halloween, I saved this carnivorous pitcher plant for last germination post.  In the background of the photo you can see what the actual plant looks like.  It should grow up to 1m tall and produce dozens of little red pitchers which are about 20cm long.  I've always wanted a pitcher plant and in a few months could have one of my own.

    These seeds may be the most difficult of all my purchases to germinate.  They should be sprinkled on sphagnum peat moss, ideally living moss if possible.  Seeds should be kept in closed containers, placed in bright light and kept at 30C.  Germination can take months and possibly up to a year.  I sure hope these ones are worth it!

    Happy Halloween everyone!

Germinating Cassabanana (Sicana odorifera)

Source: http://zoom50.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/sicana-odorifera.jpg

    This is one interesting melon.  The fruit can reach over 60cm in length and may be black, brown, orange or deep purple.  The centre of each fruit contains a large number of seeds.  These are surrounded by fleshy melon that tastes similar to cantaloupe.  The vines themselves are vigorous perennials that grow up to 15m.  They can be grown as annuals in climates with cold winters (like mine).  They thrive on heat and may grow relatively slowly until summer comes.

    I'm planning on starting them inside for the winter, then planting them out in the spring.  In the fall I'll cut back the vines, dig them up, and bring them inside for the winter.  I have no idea if they'll survive this kind of trauma, but I figure why not try?  I expect to have fruit by fall next year.

    The seeds should be soaked for a day or less prior to sowing.  Plant them about 2cm deep and they should begin sprouting relatively quickly (within less than a week).  People recommend starting them 1 to 2 months before you plan on planting them outside.  I however will probably plant them immediately upon receiving them because that's how I roll.

    I saved my carnivorous plant for last in honour of Halloween.  It's a pitcher plant of the species Nepenthes rowanae.

Germinating Black Iris (Iris chrysographes)

Source: https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fmDrOq-pOtg/TfDMpSj-k3I/AAAAAAAAAAA/LY5yTSTMBoc/5617086591252984068.jpg

    I'm a huge fan of rare/strange plants.  I've always liked black flowers but this will be my first plant that actually has them.  After going through a bunch of photos I'm convinced that the flowers should be very dark.  Some are lighter and more of a deep purple, but most really are dark enough to be considered black.  This is actually a plant I can leave outside all year.

    Iris chrysographes prefers fertile, moist soil.  Young plants should not be allowed to dry out.  Seeds must be kept constantly moist.  The easiest method is just to sow about 1/5cm deep in moist compost in the fall.  Leave the outside all winter and they should sprout in the spring.  They are rated for USDA zone 4.

    Otherwise, you can stratify them in the fridge for two months in moist paper towel sealed in ziplock bags.  The seeds need these cool temperatures and may actually germinate in the fridge.  Plant them in pots as they germinate or after the two month period.  There's actually a cool greenhouse at the local university that may be perfect for starting these!

    My next post will be on a melon.  This might seem normal, but it's not just any melon.  It's the Cassabanana (Sicana odorifera).

Germinating Moreton Bay Fig (Ficus macrophylla)

Source: http://www.travelinlocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/DSC_0087.jpg

    Hurray, another fig!  Now what attracted me to this fig?  Could it have been the incredible roots?  Maybe it was the lovely smooth bark.  Then again it has edible figs and can easily be trained into a bonsai.  Seems like a great combination of traits to me.  Clearly I just had to have one.  Also yes, I do expect to have one get this big and take over a greenhouse somewhere...

    The tree in the photo above is actually located in California.  Ficus macrophylla are rated for USDA zone 9b and can grow to a height of 60m with a similar spread.  Once again I intend to use my ficus method for germination.  I'll just fill some plastic take out containers with a seed starting mix.  Then I'll sprinkle on the seeds, put the lid on, and leave in a southern window until they sprout.

    Tomorrow I'll break with tradition and actually post about something hardy in my zone (USDA zone 6), Black Iris (Iris chrysographes).

Germinating Pride of Madeira (Echium candicans)

Source: http://img4.sunset.com/i/2006/09/beachss-ss1-l.jpg?400:400

    This plant is absolutely gorgeous!  Need I say more?  The picture above summarizes it nicely.  Most people are more familiar with Echium wilpretti which has red flowers.  These are striking, but grow larger and don't tend to branch into the attractive plant that the blue species does.

    As the name suggests, this plant is native to the island of Madeira.  This is owned by Portugal and located off the coast of Morocco.  It's tolerant of coastal exposure and salt spray but requires well drained soil.  These Echium typically reach a height of 2m and bloom in the spring.  They can take freezing temperatures and are considered hardy to USDA zone 9a.

    Seeds germinate readily and most should have sprouted within 2 weeks.  They should be sown in a well drained potting mix, about 1/2cm deep and at room temperature.  Plants establish themselves the first year and then reward you with flowers thereafter.  If stressed they may only last two years but are generally considered a perennial.

    Now for another Fig, the Moreton Bay Fig (Ficus marcophylla).

 

Germinating Velvet Pink Banana (Musa dasycarpa formerly Musa velutina)

Source: http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/potd/musa_velutina2.jpg

    The lovely Musa dasycarpa really stands out for me.  There are other bananas with pink flowers, but this one also has bright pink fruit!  Better yet the fruit is very sweet and edible, although filled with seeds.  This species is also more cold tolerant that other bananas.  It's definitely not the hardiest but can survive temperatures down to -12C (USDA zone 8a).  It even stays relatively small and only grows to about 2m in height.

    This species was originally referred to as M. velutina.  It was thought to be discovered in 1875 but it turns out it was actually described 8 years earlier in 1867.  The first person to discover/describe the plant generally gets the naming rights, so the proper name is Musa dasycarpa.

    This is the second species that I've tried previously but couldn't get to germinate.  I think the issue was heat.  I have found a lot of conflicting information on germinating these bananas.  I'm going to try using moist compost and planting each seed about 1/2 cm deep.  Allegedly they like temperatures between 21C and 25C with a day/night fluctuation.  People keep recommending this but if they're not getting results I don't know why they still try it.

    There are other theories that seeds from bananas that ripen in warm weather germinate quickly (2 weeks) with heat. Those that ripen in cooler weather germinate more slowly (2 months) and heat doesn't help.  The seeds I ordered would have been collected in the summer.  I've always had luck germinating bananas with heat so that's what I'm going to try.  Wish me luck!

    The next species up is Pride of Madeira (Echium fastuosum).

Germinating Fishtail Palm (Caryota urens syn.? Caryota maxima 'Himalaya')

Source: http://www.banana-tree.com/SiteData/Products/Caryota%20urens.jpg 

   To be honest, I was hoping to get Caryota mitis.  This is a smaller species that tends to grow in a dense clump.  Unfortunately the supplier was out at the time I ordered so I went with the larger, non-clumping Caryota urens.  I actually find C. urens to be more attractive, I just worry it will be much more difficult to control and will grow too big, too quickly.  Then again I love fast growing plants so I'm not sure why I'm complaining.  It seems to be more widely known as Caryota maxima 'Himalaya' and the alternate name Caryota urens originated in California.

    Although Fishtail Palms can grow to 20 or more metres, in most of the photos I've seen they've been 10m or less.  These plants are interesting in that they're monocarpic.  After flowering, the entire plant dies.  They may grow for a few decades before this happens.  In some cases the stress of a transplant will send mature trees into flower.  I'd expect the earliest the would happen would be 8-10 years, although I can't confirm this.  I've also seen some sources claiming they flower yearly and are not monocarpic.

As far as I can tell, both Caryota urens and Caryota maxima are different species.  Unfortunately in some areas the names are used interchangeably.  I'm not entirely sure what species I have due to the interchangeability of the names.

Flowering, source: http://www.hear.org/starr/images/images/plants/full/starr-031118-0060.jpg

    This is a relatively easy plant to grow from seed.  Fresh seeds don't need to be soaked or scarified.  I actually received mine already. They seemed a bit dry so I soaked them for three days. Next I rinsed them for about a minute in a solution of vinegar and lemon water to help kill fungus spores. They are currently sitting in a warm location wrapped in moist paper towel in a plastic container. As they sprout I'll plant the seeds about 2cm deep in a sandy seed starting mix.  Room temperature is alright but the seeds can take up to a year to germinate (2 months is expected) and extra heat will help.  It might be good to disinfect the seeds with a fungicide if you have it and use sterile mix.  For long periods like this, rotting is much more of an issue.

    Monday's post is on the Pink Velvet Banana (Musa velutina).

Germinating the Strawberry Fig (Ficus auriculata)

Source: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2316/2276410498_ac3cf490ca_b.jpg

    So I'm sick today. I have a really sore throat and runny red eyes. There's been a cold going around for weeks and I think I finally have it. I'm going to take it easy today so hopefully I feel a bit better by tomorrow. At least I have my blog to keep me busy. :)

    This is one of two plants I ordered, that I've tried to germinate previously.  For some reason the last time I tried, I didn't get a single sprout.  I'm not entirely sure what happened but I'm thinking I didn't keep them wet enough.  Figs are definitely one of my favourite genus of plants.  The species are very diverse, vigorous, adaptable, respond well to pruning and almost always make attractive plants.  I love that Ficus auriculata has huge leaves and produces large numbers of figs that taste similar to strawberries.  If it isn't obvious already, figs are also some of my favourite fruit!

    I have found the easiest way to germinate any species of fig is to fill an old sushi or Chinese food tray with soil and sprinkle the seeds over the surface (seeds are extremely tiny).  Most figs need light to germinate so be sure to put them in a south or west facing window.  Keep the seeds relatively moist but not wet.  They can take a tonne of water when older but damping off can be a problem for seedlings.  Then just put on the clear lid that came with the food tray and wait.  Within less than a week the first sprouts should appear with a very high germination rate after a week.  Room temperature is fine for the first few weeks, but ideally give these plants some heat and they'll grow like crazy!

    Tomorrow I move onto the Fishtail Palm (Caryota urens).

Germinating Pandanus fascicularis (Screw Pine)

Source: http://toptropicals.com/pics/garden/04/2500/2091.jpg

    Unlike the name suggests, Pandanus fascicularis is not a pine at all.  If you have ever looked up Pandanus before, you'll know it develops these fun, completely straight above ground roots.  The trees tend to look like they'be been propped up by sticks.  That alone was enough to spark my interest in this plant.    I wanted to show the entire plant so unfortunately the picture I chose doesn't show the root potential.  Google it!  It's delightful, I promise.They are already commonly grown as houseplants so I figured why not give them a try?

    The seeds I ordered are for Pandanus odoratissimus.  This doesn't appear to be an actual species and upon looking it up, may refer to P. tectorius or P. fascicularis.  I found out P. tectorius is usually grown on small ocean throughout the Pacific.  P. fascicularis on the other hand is grown inland in regions of India.  The seed supplier is from the same region of India so I feel it's safe to assume this is the species.

    At first I was disappointed.  I can be kind of picky and had my heart set on P. tectorius ever since seeing it on the show Survivor (don't judge me :) ).  I was very happy to find out that the species I have may be even better!  The leaves are edible and can be chewed on or used to flavour food (be careful of the barbs though).  The male flowers are beautifully scented and used to create perfumes.  Even the fruit is edible although I'm unsure if it's palatable.  Overall, I'm very excited about this purchase!

    Each seed should be given it's own pot because in some cases three plants can sprout from the same seed (sometimes up to 8).  Pandanus sp. do not like wet roots!  They can rot very quickly so ensure the starting mix is well drained.  This being said, soaking for 1-5 days seems to improve germination, but change the water daily.  Room temperature appears fine, but I would recommend 25C+ if possible.  This is because germination can take a long time and will be sped up with some heat.  Expect the first sprouts within a month but they could take up to half a year.

    Next up is the Strawberry Fig (Ficus auriculata).

Germinating Tamarillo (Solanum betaceum syn. Cyphomandra betaceum))

Source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBZ8iw6n2XNe5cw00T3BILBop0u0XCtEOyRKkClPjGQeV0_DQaWlTE6ZiTVsbgpqaDjkSTH9p7JRWbYS99QtpnspqJjQUHvxwE18anTfloKwljkutgH4iWUlrDegBWJQ_pYE-U-9JMO8/s1600/IMG_3431.JPG

    Now for a plant that most people should know, the tamarillo.  I've wanted these seeds for three main reasons:  I love tamarillo fruit, I'm fascinated by fast growing plants, and I am partial to plants with big leaves.  I'm actually surprised I've waited so long to get these seeds.  I was hoping to find some in local grocery stores and markets but I haven't seen any recently.

    The plants are short lived and may only last 5 years or so.  Tamarillos seem to appreciate cooler temperatures with an ideal median of about 18C.  They're adaptable but I'm a little worried it may get too hot for them here.  I tried to grow a Chayote which likes similar temperatures is it was often wilting by the end of the day in the summer.  I think tamarillos will prove more adaptable and be alright as long as enough water is available.

    This is an extremely easy plant to grow from seed.  Room temperature is completely fine and plants may even sprout at 15C or lower.  You can start it like you would any garden vegetable, so just use whatever method has worked for you to sprout tomatoes, lettuce, etc.  A general potting mix with consistent moisture and bright light are perfect.

    Next comes the Screw Pine (Pandanus fascicularis).

Germinating Colville's Glory (Colvillea racemosa)

Source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedeZiNxlf3c9ygwaxfpzDMcmxluiG940cuhXYcq_0EoYhxrZK4C5ilY4PjhBCxwqJoGwIZrXk-p45gvB83hD-yOzgDMiSdHt1mGxwz7uyQvufVGiFVWwWMeWVpWZXlCFrGHbBkWEBKS8/s1600/Colvillea_racemosa+1.jpg

    Unlike most of the other seeds, Colvillea racemosa (Colville's Glory) isn't a plant I've wanted for a long time.  In fact, I had no idea the species existed until a few days ago.  I just couldn't resist after seeing the amazing flowers!  It's actually related to the Royal Poinciana but much allegedly much rarer.  I'm not sure if this is entirely true because the wiki entry lists the plant as low risk for conservation.  Maybe just rare in cultivation?  Regardless it's beautiful and I would love to one day see the flowers.

    The tree is native to Madagascar and the minimum zone suggested is USDA zone 10.  As a general rule it will not grow well with average temperatures below 20C and prefers a dryer environment.  This would limit the growth period to only a few months in the summer in Southern Ontario.  The only way I can keep this plant happy is probably not to keep it!  I'm thinking I'll just donate the seedlings to the local university greenhouses.

    The seeds should be scarified but don't have to be soaked (soaking a few hours regardless won't hurt).  The seeds should be kept between 20C and 25C so room temperature should prove to be fine.  A well drained seed mix is highly recommended.  Keep the seeds moist but not wet and you could see sprouts as soon as two weeks, possibly even earlier.  Many won't germinate for a month and could take even longer.

    Now I'm not entirely sure I'll be receiving this tree.  It may have been switched for Royal Poinciana which would actually be easier for me to grow.  I guess I'll find out when the seeds arrive.  Tomorrow I post about the Tamarillo (Solanum betaceum).

Germinating Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia)

Source: http://antranik.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Jacaranda_mimosifolia.jpg

    The next species up is the lovely Jacaranda mimosifolia.  I have wanted to start these seeds for years and I'll finally get my chance.  I ended up getting a ridiculous amount: 100 seeds.  To be fair the pack only cost $2 so if anyone wants to trade for the extra seeds I may just have them!

    When making my plant selections I generally look for trees that can be grown as bonsai.  If you can grow a plant as a bonsai, it can clearly take some abuse and be trained to remain small.  However Jacaranda is one tree that may prove a little more difficult.  It doesn't like to remain small and when pruned often responds with vigorous vertical growth.  This might be ugly for a bonsai but could result in a nice, densely stemmed larger plant.  I have no idea if I'll ever see any blooms but my ultimate goal is to get my plants to flower.

    People suggest soaking the seeds for 12-24 hours prior to sowing.  Many sources state light as important for germination but I have also seen reference to buried seeds germinating.  I noticed a posting in a forum suggesting the best temperature was found to be a consistent 25C in a Brazilian study.  Overall the seeds should be easily germinated in any seed starting mix.  I'll probably experiment and try burying a few, while keeping others on the surface.

    The next species up is Colville's Glory (Colvillea racemosa).

Germinating Brazilian Tree Fern (Schizolobium parahybum)

Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b3/Schizolobium_parahybum.jpg

    The first species I'll be posting about is Schizolobium parahybum (Brazilian Tree Fern, Tower Tree, Brazilian Fire Tree).  Now to clarify, there also appears to be a Blechnum that is called Brazilian Tree Fern.  This is not the plant this post is about.  The plant I've ordered does not display any red foliage and is not a true fern.  As you can see in the above photo, it looks very similar to a tree fern when young.  As it ages, the stem begins to branch and the plant eventually grows into a large tree, covered with yellow flowers each spring.

    Now clearly my trees will never get this large because Schizolobium parahybum are by no means hardy in USDA zone 6 (minimum USDA zone 9b).  I'll just keep them in pots and bring them in for the winter.  I don't expect any flowers just small trees possibly with a few branches.  They enjoy heat and humidity and the summers in South-Western Ontario should suit them nicely.

    Most sources say this plant is easy to grow from seed.  Each seed should be scarified and soaked in water for 4 hours.  The seeds should then be planted 1-2cm deep in well drained soil.  They should be kept relatively warm (25C or higher) and constantly moist (but not soaked).  Some sources suggest putting the seeds in a bowl and pouring boiling water over them after lightly scarring.  Let them sit in the water for about a minute and then plant.  This is probably the method I'll use.  I've successfully tried it with Adansonia digitata (Baobab) seeds so I don't expect the seeds to be killed.  Germination should occur within about a month.

    Stay tuned for my next post on Jacaranda mimosifolia.

Passiflora edulis Seedlings (Yellow Passion Fruit)

This summer I have been obsessed with tropical fruits. I've tried to start many seeds from these fruits. Some of them have been a complete failure and not sprouted at all or died immediately afterwards. These include Sweetsop, Cherimoya, Longan, Lychee, and Papaya. As far as I know all of these seeds were from irradiated fruit.

I also tried some seeds from those dried sugary Dates without luck. My experience thus far had told me that nothing would sprout. Luckily I'm addicted to germinating seeds and planted some from a yellow passion fruit anyway. Within less than a week the first sprouts were poking out of the soil. Like most of my seeds, they started in a south-facing window in a grocery store sushi container.

I moved them outside into partial sun and they kept doing well. I managed about 75% germination and had to cull the extra seedlings. One really hot day I accidently let them dry out. I figured I'd lost them for sure, but soaked them in the hopes of saving a few. To my surprise they all survived! A few days later I transplanted the largest into the pots below. They have since started putting out new leaves and seem quite happy.

This variety is not hardy at all. There are some cultivars that will die down to the ground in my area but you'll never see the fruit for sale. I'll have to bring these plants in for the winter. Hopefully I'll have some flowers by next year!

Paulownia tomentosa seedlings (Empress Tree)

I have always been fascinated by plants that grow extremely quickly. I used to think it was because I was impatient. Then I grew Lithops from seed and if that doesn't take patience I don't know what does! There's just something incredibly rewarding and exciting about a plant that can change so greatly every day.

Although I'd heard about Paulownia tomentosa before, it wasn't until a few months ago that I actually saw one growing in my area. One of the trees seemed to be cut down to the ground every year. These young, vigourous growth actually produces larger leaves than the mature branches on the other tree. At that point I realized I needed my own. I ordered the seeds online and they arrived a few weeks later.

I germinated them in this little grocery store sushi container. I LOVE my sushi and even though the grocery store kind isn't the best, sometimes it's enough so I never have a shortage of these containers. I kept the lid on and the container in a southern window sill. Within six days the first sprouts were up. They looked very delicate but seem to have become more robust. Supposedly there were 50 seeds and it looks like I have at least 50 plants so the germination rate was really high.

The seedlings are currently outdoors in a mini greenhouse (partially open) and receive a few hour of direct sun each day. I'm going to have to pot them up soon because they've more or less stopped growing. Hopefully I'll be able to pry them apart relatively easily without too much damage to the young taproots.