Empress tree question

ive planted empress tree seeds in the little jiffy pots and have had 3 of them sprout. they live for awhile then just die for no reason. i dont think it is damping off. because the other stuff i have growing hasnt had any problems. what could i do to help guarrantee the success of future sprouts? also how are those seeds supposed to be sowed? on top, lightly covered? 1/8-1/4 deep? kept moist?

Usually they have the reputation for being very invasive, which suggests the seeds shouldn't be difficult to grow. What soil and light conditions have you been giving them?

Resin

I've some limited experiences with this young trees. I tried to grow one a couple of years ago, and the foot-tall tree just died. This spring I tried again, and still they don't look very prolific. It's said that young sapplings will NOT tolerate shade, given it full sun then it wilted! I use promix, the leaves appear clhorosis, and lack of vigor. Though, if there is any viable roots, they will sprout young plants, then just sit there and not growing favorably. (despite its reputation to be invasive -- It's very finicky taking on during the formative years).

I think the reason they spread so readily is that they make literally millions of seeds, so it doesn't have to have a high success rate in order to make enough babies to be a nuisance. I don't know exactly where Chino is but seems to me it's in SoCal somewhere so you ought to be able to grow Jacaranda instead which in my mind is a much more beautiful tree, and doesn't have nearly the invasive potential of the Paulownia. Lily--I definitely wouldn't grow them by you, you're in a part of the country where I think they are officially on the invasive/noxious weed lists. They're not officially on the invasive list out here in CA but I have a feeling it's one of those plants where it'll get on the list eventually just isn't there yet so I'd still recommend against planting it.

Thank you, ecrane3,
Respectfully with your suggestion. I'll definately seek for my Argiculture Extension Office locally for further advices. Yes, I've noticed them grow in the wild in our area. Those blooms are so beautiful, almost irresistable!!!

The blooms are pretty, among the prettiest of all trees, but take a good look at those wild trees. Often they are misshapen and rank. I have yet to see a well-formed, attractive Paulownia around here. Usually they are half-dead, and gawky. did see a photo of an incredible allee of them from somewhere. I have no idea where or why they appeared to be so much better grown.

Scott

Scott,
Are they invasive in your zone? I've a half a dozen of these trees to send off to somewhere they aren't likely to be a pest or nightmare. If indeed the County Extension would recommend that I should rid off them.

thnx for all the info. i think it may have been the shade. ididnt want to kill the seedling with to much direct sun.. so im gonna try again but with filtered sun this time.

shokwave30;
Good lucks, I have been wanting this plants for quite sometimes, found myself turning my head while driving (looking at those beautiful blooming trees growing along roadsides). I thought, to save me from car accidence, I better get one planted. Oh well.

Lily, as a fellow Alabamian, I recommend getting rid of the Paulownias. Our southern forest are already under pressure trying to compete with privet, kudzu, etc. The Paulownias only add to the problem. Tuliptree and Catalpa are good alternatives.

Just my 2 cents.

Sob, sob, escambia; (more tears) -- just kidding. We're apparently in joined force in getting rid of wild senesis Previts. Husband and I, joined our two neighbors to clear out an area apprx. 100' x 100' of wildly grown previts this early spring. The hard work paid off, now we've a neighboring shared lot, where they can come out the back porch and see us behind the beautiful dogwoods, oaks, and some pines. Where as before we were the next "forest" over neighbors. LOL