I grew Adansonia digitata from seed. Started them the way I do all my seeds. Cleaned off the fruit and then put in a plastic bag wrapped in a wet paper towel. No other treatment.
Also tried Adansonia grandidieri the same way but all the seeds rotted, so it was probably just bad seed.
Baobab seed pre treatment
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BenCSS
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DesertPlant
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Re: Baobab seed pre treatment
I've sown them a few times, and have a Madagascan baobab and several A. digitata. Best germination I got when I sanded down the hard outer layer until I got through the hard shell, then an overnight soak I believe.
They are quite variable in dropping leaves, last winter I had one which kept some leaves all winter, this winter all have dropped their leaves. That's my experience with them in Africa as well. In one area I worked in there was a baobab 'forest' (more like grassland/bushland with lots of baobabs) and sometimes most would have no leaves, but a few did.
They are quite variable in dropping leaves, last winter I had one which kept some leaves all winter, this winter all have dropped their leaves. That's my experience with them in Africa as well. In one area I worked in there was a baobab 'forest' (more like grassland/bushland with lots of baobabs) and sometimes most would have no leaves, but a few did.
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Herts Mike
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Re: Baobab seed pre treatment
Do you give any winter water?
Re: Baobab seed pre treatment
I did for its first winter as it was putting on a lot of new growth and I was worried it would strain itself if I tried to deprive it of water. Now I leave it sit dry over winter.
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DesertPlant
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Re: Baobab seed pre treatment
If they have leaves I give a little water, if they've dropped all their leaves they don't get water until I see buds developing, usually somewhere in april or may.
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Herts Mike
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Re: Baobab seed pre treatment
That’s what I’m doing. So carry on!
Re: Baobab seed pre treatment
Grew several species years ago. Just soaked in warmish water for two days then plant a cm. or so below the surface. Usually 3/5 germinated within a couple of days. Found that any that hadn't germinated within a week, wouldn't. Would come up with a short stem and two leaves, so might be worth trying to cut open any that haven't come through as there is essentially a miniature plant already in the seed. Wintering can be tricky as they need some water and the growing tips can die. My first attempt without any water just left me with a stick. Can grow quite quickly but need to be large to develop the swollen stems, so just grew as a curiosity.