Description
A large, dry deciduous tree, once common in tropical forests from southern Mexico to Bolivia. It is a fast growing species that can reach an enormous 50 to 70 m in height with a massive, straight, lightly buttressed trunk that holds a rounded, umbrella-shaped crown with large leaves, yellowish green flowers and reddish brown fruits. It is threatened today due to the overexploitation of its beautiful and very durable, reddish-brown wood: the genuine and highest quality mahogany. It is a very important timber-tree and widely grown throughout the tropics today, in USDA zone 11 and above. It is also an attractive ornamental for parks and large gardens but ironically has quite some invasive potential.
Germination Guide
🌍 Southern Mexico through Central America to northern South America (Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil)
Moderate
Swietenia macrophylla, commonly known as big-leaf mahogany, is a valuable tropical timber tree native to Central and South America and extensively planted in tropical regions worldwide. The species is propagated primarily by seeds, which exhibit rapid germination (commencing within 6-17 days) but lose viability quickly when stored under ambient conditions, necessitating prompt sowing of fresh seeds or proper hermetic storage at cool temperatures. Despite its commercial importance and conservation challenges due to overexploitation, mahogany seeds remain relatively easy to germinate with minimal pretreatment, making seed propagation the preferred method for large-scale nursery production.
Germination
Germination time
Expect germination in
6 – 35 days
Temperature
Min 13°C
Ideal 37°C
Max 53°C
Light
🌑 Darkness required
Substrate moisture
💧💧 High
Seed Pre-treatment
-
💧
Soaking — 24 hours
Soaking fresh or stored seeds in warm water for 24 hours improves germination rates; ambient water temperature sufficient for fresh seed
-
🔨
Mechanical scarification
Removal of winged seed covering to facilitate germination and handling; breaking of seed wings is recommended
-
📋
Additional notes
Seeds lose viability rapidly under ambient storage conditions; fresh seeds germinate at high rates (80-90%) without pretreatment; no stratification required
Substrate & Container
Recommended substrate
Sand, sawdust, forest soil, or well-draining potting mix
Recommended container
Seed trays or poly bags with transparent plastic covering for moisture retention; direct sowing in containers recommended to prevent root deformation
Growing Tips
Use fresh seeds immediately after harvest for optimal germination rates exceeding 80%; stored seeds benefit from 24-hour warm water soaking prior to sowing. Sow seeds approximately 1 cm deep in moist sand or potting mix with soil lightly compacted over seed. Maintain high substrate moisture throughout germination using transparent plastic coverings or shade cloth. Seedlings require shading during germination but shade should be gradually removed once the first two leaf pairs appear; inadequate light after germination results in weak, etiolated seedlings. Temperature should be maintained between 25-37°C for optimal results, with 37°C being the cardinal optimal temperature. Protect young seedlings from damping-off by avoiding overwatering and maintaining good drainage. Direct sowing in containers is recommended over seed bed pricking out to prevent root disturbance and j-rooting. Remove plastic covering and increase light gradually as seedlings develop their first true leaves.
Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.