Description
A scrambling shrub or small tree, rarely more than 4 m (13 ft.) tall, with slender, drooping branches and pale yellow bell-shaped flowers with a black throat. It is widely distributed from southern Africa to India and Sri Lanka. It has a number of medicinal uses and makes a beautiful, fast growing ornamental suitable for warm temperate and tropical climates in USDA Zones 10 and above.
Germination Guide
🌍 Africa to Arabian Peninsula, Sri Lanka, and tropical Africa
Moderate
Bauhinia tomentosa, commonly known as yellow bauhinia or yellow bell orchid tree, is a small deciduous shrub or tree native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and Asia. Seeds possess a hard, impermeable coat requiring scarification and soaking pretreatment for reliable germination, typically occurring within 3-4 weeks under optimal warm, humid conditions.
Germination
Germination time
Expect germination in
14 – 28 days
Temperature
Min 20°C
Ideal 25°C
Max 25°C
Substrate moisture
💧💧 High
Seed Pre-treatment
-
💧
Soaking — 24 hours
Soak seeds in room temperature or hand-warm water for 24 hours to soften the seed coat and aid water absorption. Swollen seeds should be sown immediately after soaking; unswollen seeds may benefit from gentle mechanical scarification
-
🔨
Mechanical scarification
Gently scratch or nick the hard outer seed coat using fine-grit sandpaper or carefully make a small nick with a knife, away from the embryo, to improve water absorption and germination rates
-
📋
Additional notes
Soaking and scarification soften the impermeable seed coat, significantly improving germination rates. These Fabaceae seeds have physical dormancy requiring pretreatment
Substrate & Container
Recommended substrate
Well-draining seed starting mix such as equal parts river sand and compost, or peat and perlite combined with coir for moisture retention
Recommended container
Individual pots or deep seedling trays with drainage holes
Growing Tips
Sow in spring or very early summer for best results. Place in a warm, brightly lit, well-ventilated area and mist frequently—maintain consistently moist soil but avoid waterlogging. A heat mat helps maintain optimal 20-25°C temperature. Cover with clear plastic to maintain humidity but ventilate periodically to prevent mold. Once seedlings develop 2-3 true leaves, they can be transplanted. Germination may occasionally extend beyond 4 weeks; patience is essential. Seedlings grow relatively fast once established.
Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.