Yellow Bauhinia Seedlings

I couldn't bring the tree with me when I moved, but I did save a lot of seed from it.

Low and behold when I planted the seeds, they germinated. Better yetter, they still live.

I started these in small seedling cells. 4 to a cell. When they got their first 2 leaves, I carefully separated them and gave each of them an individual, larger cell. They each had a good sturdy long tap root.

What would be my next course of action, do I need to pinch them, transplant them, or just wait until they are rootbound before putting in larger pots? I have 21 of these babies.

Thanks,
Molly

Molly, I ordered seeds of this one and none germinated..what is wrong? I niked and soaked em then kept warm and nothing!Any tips?
Kyle

Kyle,

Interesting you should ask. Last year I received a couple different colors of bauhinia seeds. I tried a couple methods of germinating and none did. They just got moldy.

These seeds I took off my own tree last year. Keeping in mind I live in Ft Lauderdale, I just took the seeds and put them in Scotts Seed Starting Formula potting soil. I just pressed them into the soil a little bit, 4 to a cell. No nicking or soaking beforehand. Within a week they curled out a little green sprout. I have had them on my patio since I planted them around the last week in March.

Our temps at night were in the 50's, daytime, high 70's. I kept them in a cell tray with a bit of water in the bottom continuously. You could kind of duplicate this by placing your cell tray on top of the fridge in your kitchen (assuming you have adequate lighting).

Since I only have 1 cell tray, but lots of cells, when they got the 2 leaves and I separated them to individual cells in regular Scott's Rooting formula potting soil, I now keep them in a rubbermaid type bin with a bit of water in the bottom of the bin along with other various babies.

This is how it worked for me, keeping in mind, this was my first effort and they were my own seeds. Sometimes, unless you took the seeds yourself, you may not know how old they are or where they have been.

So, important factors: Temperature, light and soil medium. I hope this helps.

Molly
:^)))

great job!!!!

maybe I am slow but I don't know what yall are talking about? what does the mom and dad look like? Molly your plants went in the mail thrusday????? I dug a clump out of the pot for you didn't count.... Let me know if you need anything else?

Thanks CC,

Larry: These are them and the picture I posted is the tree the seeds came from. I will assume since I had the only tree for miles, the mom and pop were one and the same tree. http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/2066/

And Larry, thanks for asking. I googled to find a picture because I thought I had lost mine. And our own plant files came up in the search, and my own picture too!!!! And I will watch for the package. Thanks again.

Molly
:^)))

yeah... I know what you are talking about now. I saw them at disney world/seaworld/That other place. they also have one that looks orange here...." I think they think there hardy here."? I think we have one of the cousins up here the "yellow rain tree" it only blooms in november I think. to many plants to keep up with.

ely

Molly, Thanks I'll see if I have any of the seeds left and try your method. :-)

Hooray! I am glad to see that you kept trying to get these seeds to germinate... they were just razzing you for awhile! I think the temperature is an important key to success as well. I was able to germinate a couple seedlings, but they later died... I also used straight peat moss as the medium... Keep 'em going, & good luck!
Julie

I've started several different Bauhinia species, and the method I've found to work best is to take a few paper towels and wet them so that they are definitely damp, but not drippy. Fold them up and put the seeds (no nicking here, I rub lightly between sandpaper before planting) in between, and put the seeds/towel into a plastic bag and keep it somewhere warm. Check every few days and when you find a root pot them up. This is also a good way to keep from wasting soil on the ones that don't germinate:-)

In my experience soaking always results in failure for some reason, and direct planting is only about 30% germination rate.

Indi,

Thank you very much for your expertise. Now I am hoping with your experience you can tell me what I should do at the stage of the picture shown in the first post. Pinch, pot up, just keep on as is?

I had an excellent germination rate, and they are all still alive. I want to insure the success rate by my next actions.

Thanks,
Molly
:^))))

Molly, I always just let mine grow, but I have had some that have had accidents and get bushier after the top is gone, so if that's what you're after I say pinch:-)

Thank you Indi. :^)))