Germinating Calycanthus Seed

If you want the splendor of a flowering tree in your yard, but lack the space, consider Calycanthus. This genus includes the floridus and occidentalis species, two cold-hardy shrubs that bear orange and burgundy flowers. Fresh Calycanthus seeds germinate readily if sown soon after picking from the shrub. If you have dried or stored Calycanthus seeds, soaking them in water and stratifying them in the refrigerator often improves the germination rate.

Potting soil
Plastic container

Instructions

- 1
  Harvest fresh seed in October or November if you have access to a Calycanthus shrub. Sow the fresh seed directly into a prepared bed filled with well-drained soil. Keep the seeds moist. Freshly sown seed germinates in about three weeks.
- 2
  Soak dried Calycanthus seeds in hot water. Drop the seeds in a bowl of water and let them soak for 12 to 24 hours.
- 3
  Add potting soil to a plastic container. Sprinkle Calycanthus seeds into the container and cover them with a layer of soil.
- 4
  Mist the Calycanthus seeds with water. Cover the container with a lid. Set the container in the refrigerator for 30 days. If desired, Calycanthus seed can remain in the refrigerator for up to three months.
- 5
  Remove the Calycanthus seed container and take off the lid. Set the container in a spot where it gets indirect sunlight and temperatures between 59 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. It usually takes between one and six months for the seeds to germinate.

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