Description
Unusual and interesting tree with pinnate foliage which emerges green in spring and turns bright yellow in autumn. Bears lovely panicles of yellow flowers in summer followed by strange, yet attractive lantern-like, inflated, bronze-pink fruits. Easy to grow from seed.
Hardy Tree (to -5C) Protect when young and in extreme winters until mature
Height: up to 10m
Position: Sun and well drained soil
Germination Guide
🌍 China, Korea, and Outer Manchuria (Russia and Mongolia)
Difficult
Koelreuteria paniculata, commonly known as the Golden Rain Tree, is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree native to China, Korea, and Manchuria, prized for its stunning golden-yellow flowers and ornamental seed pods. Germination is challenging due to pronounced seed dormancy involving both a hard, impermeable seed coat and internal dormancy; proper scarification and cold stratification are essential for successful propagation.
Germination
Germination time
Expect germination in
14 – 28 days
Temperature
Min 10°C
Ideal 16°C
Max 20°C
Substrate moisture
💧 Medium
Seed Pre-treatment
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💧
Soaking — 24 hours
Pre-soak seeds in hot water for 24 hours to soften the seed coat and promote water absorption. This is a critical step for germination.
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🔨
Hot water scarification
Soak seeds in hot tap water, let stand in water for 24 hours. Seeds have hard, impermeable seed coat dormancy and must be scarified to germinate.
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❄️
Cold stratification — 90 days at 4°C
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📋
Additional notes
Seeds exhibit both exogenous and endogenous dormancy. Hot water scarification followed by cold stratification is essential. If boiling water treatment fails to allow seed imbibition, sulfuric acid treatment may be required as an alternative.
Substrate & Container
Recommended substrate
Gritty compost or well-drained seed-starting mix with peat, sand, and perlite
Recommended container
Cold frame or sealed plastic bag in refrigerator
Growing Tips
Fall sowing in mulched beds is preferred to artificial stratification and may provide more natural germination. Be patient: germination can be sporadic and occur over a 2-3 year period. Do not discard seed immediately as dormant seeds will germinate when conditions match their natural requirements. Once scarified and cold-stratified, sow seeds in moist medium (avoid waterlogging), tamp soil gently, and maintain medium moisture. After germination, transplant seedlings to individual pots and provide greenhouse protection during their first winter before hardening off for outdoor planting.
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