Gymnocladus chinensis |
Native Region: China
Zone Range: 4-9
Preferred Climate: Full to semi sun; well draining deep soils with good humus horizon.
Harvest Date: Thursday 16 September, 2010
Seed count: 5-7
Description:
This cousin to the North American Kentucky Coffee Tree, is very rare in cultivation in gardens/arboretums, both public and private. Form is very much like its North American cousin in size and form, but the new growth/foliage is a royal purple then becoming blue green but retains its purple tint on the reverse. Leaflets are more perfectly oval than lanceolate like is North American kin. Totally unique. Hardiness testing proves this species can survive in pots without protection to -12C without any damage. Growing axil looks more like mini Calycanthus vs its north American kin.
Notes:
We recommend that the seed, once soaked be gently squeezed to remove any excess water within the embryo chamber to lessen the chance of mould. I took my thumbnail and nicked the leather like secondary seed coat at the pore end to reveil the radicle (seed root). Yes, the secondary seed coat is soft enough to do this with your fingernail. Be careful don't be rough.
Cultivation:
Break dormancy: has 2 seed coats; file away primary seed coat (blue) in sections until black secondary is seen. A flat file or a nutmeg grater will do nicely. Soak seed in warm water until the primary coat 'dissolves' away and seed swells. If seed is not swelling, refile and resoak. Soaking may take a few days, but change the water a couple times a day. Place swollen seeds (huge in comparison to its original size) in resealable baggie with at least a cup of moistened peat/sand/perlite mix. Remember to gently squeeze any trapped soak water out of the embryo chamber. Place somewhere warm (20-25C). Will only take a few days (3-30 days) to germinate. Prick out and transplant into deep pots as it puts down a very long tap root.
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