The seeds of the blue bell or emperor tree (bot. Paulownia tomentosa) are very frugal, they do not need much to germinate. Getting them through the first winter in one piece is not so easy, however, because they are very sensitive to frost.
Germinating bluebell seeds is easy
The blue bell tree is known for its self-seeding. If you already have a tree, then you don't really have to worry about propagation. The prerequisite, however, is that your bluebell tree comes into bloom.
The mature seeds germinate easily where they reach the ground, even in small crevices in walls and sidewalks. Within a year they can grow to two meter high young plants. It is not for nothing that the bluebell tree is considered to be very fast-growing. However, many of these young trees freeze to death in their first winter.
What do I do if my bluebell tree doesn't bloom?
If your bluebell tree has never flowered, then maybe it's just too young. The first blossom usually does not appear until a tree is about three to five years old.
If your paulownia is older, the climate may not suit it. Because the blue bell tree is hardy, but the delicate buds are not. In a harsh area, they freeze to death quite often. The only thing that helps here is winter protection made of foil or fleece.
How do I treat purchased seeds?
In principle, you can sow the bluebell tree all year round, but February is recommended. Then the young plants are well rooted and strong by autumn. Spread the seeds thinly on growing substrate, peat or a soil-sand mixture. Keep this evenly moist in a bright, warm place.
Targeted cultivation step by step:
- Collect and dry seeds in autumn, alternatively buy
- Sowing possible all year round, ideally in February
- Cultivation vessel: wide and flat (bowl)
- Substrate: sand-soil mixture or peat
- Sow thinly, seeds are very small
- Keep substrate evenly moist
- Location: warm and bright
- Possibly cover the culture vessel with foil (increases or maintains the humidity)
tips
If you simply germinate the falling seeds of your bluebell tree, you have a no-work sowing. Plant the seedlings in pots in the fall.