How to Germinate Paulownia Fortunei

Start your seeds between February and early March. Choose an indoor site with sunlight and a temperature consistently near 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Your germinating seedlings require these conditions. In the Northern Hemisphere, a room with southern exposure receives the most sunlight each day.

Make a soil mix containing perlite, peat moss and potting soil measured at a 2:2:1 ratio. Mix it in the bowl with the cultivating fork to remove clumps, making enough to fill your seed starter trays. Moisten well with water from the spray bottle and fill the trays.

Scatter the seeds lightly and evenly across the surface of the trays. Don't cover them with medium.

Use the stem clippers to cut the florist's sticks into 6-inch lengths. Distribute the sticks evenly around the seed tray's perimeter. Drape the cheesecloth over the sticks to provide the germinating seedlings with adequate humidity and protect them from direct sun.

Check the tray twice a day, spraying the soil with water as necessary to keep it constantly moist. Dry soil kills emerging seedlings in as little as one minute, according to the Maryland Cooperative Extension website.

Remove the cheesecloth when the paulownia seedlings germinate, typically in from nine to 11 days. Water only enough to keep the soil mist. When the seedlings stand 1/2 inch tall, lift them from the tray for transplanting into individual seedling peat pots.