How do I get my Ochroma Pyramidale to germinate indoor?

klinck

18 years ago

Hi I just received seeds from the Balsa tree, Ochroma pyramidale. How do I get these seeds to spout?

Thanks

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Comments (5)

shrubs_n_bulbs
18 years ago
Ochroma seeds have a dormancy that is broken by high heat. If you have a lot of seed then a few will germinate without heat treatement. In the wild this is thought to be a method of only germinating seed whichs falls in areas of the forest that receive significant sunlight.

Some commercial seed may have been treated and will have relatively high germination.
sunfrog
17 years ago
Hi,
I too am trying to start some Balsa Tree seeds. Heat isn't a problem for me since I live in Arizona. :) should I try moving my jiffy peat pellet outside in the sun? Will that work or will it dry out?
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quirkyquercus
17 years ago
Did you have any success with this?
refresh2k
16 years ago
I got some balsa seeds to sprout in a mix of 50% peat 25% sand 25% perlite. I put them in the pot watered them every morning and set them on the porch that gets sun about half the day.
toddal8
13 years ago
Once on the forest floor, seeds will apparently not germinate unless soil temperatures are high enough to indicate that direct sunlight is available. Allen (1956) indicates that fire also aids in stimulating germination. Otherwise, the seeds will remain dormant in cool soil, waiting for a tree-fall, landslide, or even road-cut to provide them with an opportunity to sprout.

Try a heat lamp to simulate open sunny area. Some seeds need a scratch on the shell to allow water to penetrate the shell.
I set my seeds out side to start them this wasn't enough. What I am suggesting I tried on other seeds and it worked for them.

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How do I get my Ochroma Pyramidale to germinate indoor?

Comments (5)

shrubs_n_bulbs

sunfrog

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