Tetradium / Bee Bee tree from seed?

[Rhbush318]

Does anyone have experience growing Tetradium or Bee Bee trees from seed?

Specifically I am trying to decide on direct sowing multiple seeds in the location where I would like one tree to grow or to start the seeds in pots and then transplant. Thank you

[moebees]

I have no knowledge myself but there are people on Beesource that advertise seedlings or just show their seedlings from time to time. I don't recall and discussion of how they grow them but you could contact them and ask.

[Nate K]

I'm currently starting some from seeds right now. They have not come up yet, but I believe they take time.
The seeds are so cheap though, it would be worth trying!

[Rhbush318]

Are you starting them in a pot? Please keep us updated on how it works out for you.

[moebees]

Do you know what zones they will grow in?

[lharder]

Some seeds require stratification or scarring before they germinate. Some require light, others darkness. Trying various methods in pots is a good idea.

[Rhbush318]

USDA Zone 4-8

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/ ... rcode=c991

[PropolisTarp]

I am trying to start many Tetradium seeds right now. I am using egg cartons and soil from my yard. The first bunches were one seed per segment. I got many more yard volunteers than true germinations. So I started another egg carton, this one with about 15-20 seeds per segment. I have two germinations that I think might be genuine. My friend who is trying the same thing mentioned that it took weeks. He also tried refrigerating the seeds for two months. I didn't refrigerate, but I did soak some of them in water. I am hoping for the best at this point.

I also ordered tetradium plants from two different places: two 5' trees and 25 1' trees. I am going to ask on the Nextdoor app (a neighboorhood-based social media app) if anyone would like a free tree and let me plant it in their yard. The summer dearth is very bad here in Georgia zone 7b, so I am hoping to plant more Tetradium danielii and Clethra alnifolia.

[moebees]

Thanks for the update on your project. Sounds like you are going to have allot of trees.

[PropolisTarp]

From what my friend told me today (and I am hoping he will join this forum), he has had the best success doing the following:

1. refrigerate the seeds for two months in a moist environment. The seeds that were treated in this way germinated in 5-7 days. Seeds that were not treated in this way germinated in 3-4 weeks
2. Keep the seeds covered in plastic wrap or some other kind of enclosure to keep the environment moist. He noticed that after the cover was removed, germination slowed greatly