The ginkgo is not only a special feature in the plant world because of its strikingly shaped leaves, the way it is reproduced is also rather rare. So it is not surprising that simply planting a seed is rarely successful.
Only very rarely are the ginkgo seeds germinable
Even if you discover orange-yellow, plum or apricot-like fruits on your ginkgo, you will not necessarily get germinable seeds. Fertilization occurs only in autumn, when the ripe fruit falls from the tree. For this, however, a sexually mature male Ginkgo must grow nearby.
How do I get viable seeds?
Obtaining seeds from your own ginkgo trees is quite difficult. These trees are only sexually mature when they are at least 20, but usually 30 to 40 years old. How long do you have to wait for flowering? If there is no male ginkgo around, fertilization is not possible. Therefore, it is best to buy seeds from a local specialty store or online.
How do I sow ginkgo?
If you really want to grow a ginkgo from seeds, you need a lot of patience. Weeks and months can pass before germination, sometimes even up to two years. It is also often recommended to store the seeds in the fridge for a while before sowing, as they are also exposed to frost in nature.
However, you can speed up germination a little by roughening or scratching the skin of the right hard core and then watering it. Soak the seed in lukewarm water for about 24 hours before placing it in a pot of potting soil and covering it thinly. Place the pot in a bright, warm place and keep the soil constantly moist.
The essentials in brief:
- separate sex: male and female trees
- Sexual maturity at least 20, but usually not until 30 to 40 years
- Seeds only on female trees
- Fertilization not at flowering but after the fruit has fallen from the tree
tips
Sowing a ginkgo tree is not for the impatient as it can take up to two years to germinate.