How to Grow Pride of Barbados from Seeds
Things You'll Need That We Usually Get from Amazon
Planter pots, 5 to 6-inch or larger
1 Gather the seeds in late summer or early autumn after pods dry out and turn light brown. Shake the seed pod and listen for a rattling sound, which indicates that the seeds have fully dried out. Collect one or two seed pods. (This step has already been done for you)
2 Snip off the ends of the seed pods with pruning shears and pry them open to extract the seeds. Pick out the flat, light brown seeds. Inspect each seed for signs of pest damage or mold. Discard any that have obvious signs of damage. (This step has already been done for you)
3 Nick the end of each seed with a utility knife. Press the blade against the seed coat until it is deeply incised but not completely punctured. We like to use a nail file to the top of the seed instead. Now soak the nicked seeds in warm water overnight to further weaken the hard, impermeable seed coat. (This step is very important)
4 Prepare a planting container for each seed. Use 6-inch plastic pots with at least two drainage holes at the base. Fill the pots with a mixture of 2 parts coarse sand, 1 part compost and 1 part perlite. Add water to the mixture until it feels moderately moist in the top 2 inches.
5 Sow one seed in each pot. Make a planting hole that is 1/4 to 1 inch deep. Place the seed inside the hole and cover it with a loose layer of the growing mixture. Spread a 1/4-inch-thick layer of mulch over the surface to help hold moisture in the soil.
6 Place the pots inside a lightly shaded cold frame. Warm the pots to around 70 degrees Fahrenheit using a germination mat. Check the moisture level in the growing mixture each morning. Add water whenever it feels barely damp in the top 1/2 inch.
7 Watch for the first seedlings in approximately one to two weeks. Remove the germination mat once the seeds sprout. Continue to water whenever the growing mixture dries out in the top 1/2 inch.
8 Grow the seedlings in a very lightly shaded area of the garden during their first summer. Provide 1 inch of water each week during the summer months. Acclimate the seedlings to direct sun in late summer so they won't wilt after transplant.
9 Transplant your fresh saplings into a permanent bed in early autumn after the first rainfall.
Choose a sunny planting site with sandy, fast-draining soil. Space multiple trees at least 8 to 10 feet apart.
Thanks & Happy Planting Les & Ingrid Foster
Starting plants from seeds is so easy
and very rewarding.
It’s a terrific way to get kids involved in gardening, too.
It’s also a great way to save money!
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Copyright 2019 Les & Ingrid Foster (Arizona)