-40%
Ochroma pyramidale Balsa Tree 50 seeds 1O
$ 7.38
- Description
- Size Guide
Description
Ochroma pyramidale Balsa Tree 50 seedsA large, very fast growing tree with large, very shallowly lobed leaves and large, white flowers, perhaps best known for its extremely lightweight yet fairly durable wood widely traded and used for a multitude of purposes as balsa. It is an opportunistic species that occupies gaps in the forest canopy and is native from southern Mexico through Central and western South America to Bolivia.
Seed - needs high temperatures to germinate. Seeds can be sown directly in the field or in the nursery. Freshly collected seed has only 10% germination. Seeds contain an impervious testa which must be ruptured by heat (boiling water, fire) before they will germinate. Under natural conditions forest clearance exposes the soil to the sun and this triggers germination of Ochroma seeds. In the nursery seeds are sown in lines 3 - 4cm apart under slight shade and in sterilized soil to prevent damping-off. Pre-treated seeds show 65 - 75% germination in 6 - 28 days and seedlings are pricked out and transferred to containers. The very small seeds should be collected from standing trees, and can be stored for several years in jute bags or in closed container.