With its large blue panicles of flowers, the bluebell tree (bot. Paulownia) is truly impressive. Unfortunately, a young tree is not exactly cheap commercially, but with a little patience you can also grow it yourself from seed.
Paulownia seeds are sown in February
If you prefer to grow a bluebell tree from cuttings, cut off a healthy shoot about 20 centimeters long in the fall. In moist soil it will root throughout the winter.
Where can I get bluebell tree seeds?
Although there are different types of Paulownia, you will mainly find the seeds of the species Paulownia tomentosa on the market. In the meantime, there are also some hybrids that are better adapted to the prevailing climate here and/or can no longer self-seed and can therefore proliferate uncontrollably.
If you have a bluebell tree in your garden or nearby, you can use its seed for sowing, provided it is not one of the hybrids just mentioned. However, make sure that the seeds are ripe. You can tell by the bursting capsule. Incidentally, the seeds germinate all by themselves in suitable locations.
Breeding instructions in brief:
- Buy or collect seeds and dry them
- ideal sowing time: February
- Substrate: peat or sand-soil mixture
- sow thinly
- Keep seed moist
- Location: warm and bright
- If necessary, cover the breeding pot with foil
How do I care for the seedlings?
After just a few days, your seeds will begin to germinate. With a size of about five centimeters, they can already be pricked out. Now they no longer need to be protected with foil, but they cannot tolerate the cold yet. Keep the substrate moist, but avoid waterlogging at all costs. This would quickly rot the delicate roots.
If your blue bell tree has grown into a strong plant in the spring, place it on the balcony or in the garden during the day. Pay attention to a slightly shady place and protect the tree from the blazing midday heat. After the ice saints, your blue bell tree can spend the summer outdoors, but it is not really hardy yet.
tips
If you have little time and/or patience, you can also grow a bluebell tree from a cutting.