Tropicals & Tender Perennials: Anyone know how to propagate this?, 0 by Clare_CA

Clare_CA wrote:
Hi Kell, that is indeed Michelia x alba, one of my favorite trees in the whole world. It is actually a hybrid between Michelia champaca and Michelia montana, and Monrovia has labeled it incorrectly by calling it white Michelia champaca or Michelia champaca 'alba.' There is a white version of the Michelia champaca, but it has not made it here from Thailand yet and is still rare. A friend of mine in Thailand sent me seeds from his tree, but they are difficult to germinate and require lots of heat. The seeds of Michelia x alba are sterile.

Both the Michelia x alba and the Michelia champaca are difficult to propagate, which is why they are so expensive. The Michelia x alba is propagated by air-layering a flowering tree or by grafting. The Michelia champaca is propagated by seeds, but seedlings won't flower until they reach a degree of maturity, which is usually around five years or so. If you have a Chinese nursery near you, check with them for established plants and save yourself the time and trouble. I know master gardeners who have been unsuccessful propagating this tree. Also, Top Tropicals has it on sale right now for around $40, I think. Check to see if there is a Temple Gardens near you. There is one in El Monte, and they have trees which start at around $40, but sometimes you can get one for around $20 if you can catch a sale. Both my M. x alba and my M. champaca are blooming now too.