Ginkgo trees have an ancient heritage. They can be as tall as 100 feet, with trunks as wide as 4 feet in diameter. It all begins with a humble ginkgo seed. With proper collection, seed extraction and germination, you will be on your way to adorning your yard with the graceful ginkgo tree in years to come.
Instructions
1. Obtain ginkgo seeds from ginkgo nuts. If you live in a rare North American region with mature ginkgo trees, gather ginkgo nuts in the fall. Ginkgo nuts are oval, green or yellow, and about an inch long. The fruit of the nut surrounds its seed. Remove the pungent fruit to access the seeds. Most ginkgo trees grow in Asia. If you have access to a local Oriental grocer, you may obtain seeds there. According to Jeff Blackadar's article, "Growing Ginkgoes from Seed," ginkgo seeds also are called white nuts or, in Japanese, ginnan. You may also locate ginkgo seeds online.
2. Gather ginkgo nuts to obtain seeds for planting. While ginkgo nuts drop in the fall, Blackadar suggests leaving them on the ground until January. This allows the embryo to fully develop. Of course, this method leaves the nuts vulnerable to squirrels and other nut-gatherers. If you gather ginkgo nuts when they drop, remove the seeds and place in a moisture-tight plastic bag. Store in the refrigerator until you decide to germinate them.
3. Begin germinating ginkgo seeds in January. Mix peat moss with water and knead the mixture well to moisten. Peat moss should be moist, not dripping. If you can form a ball that retains its shape without dripping water, you have a good mixture. Add more peat moss or water as needed. Add two handfuls of peat moss to a moisture-proof sandwich baggie. Add five ginkgo seeds and seal the bag. Leave the bag at room temperature for two to three weeks.
4. Plant the ginkgo seedlings. It takes a few weeks for all of the seeds to be ready. Once all of the seeds are sprouted with roots and baby leaves, plant the seedlings in 4-inch pots. Consistently water the new plants. Mist the plants for the first week to allow them to adjust to being outside of the baggie's moist environment. If you begin germinating in January, the seedlings will be ready to plant in the ground after the last frost, which will vary according to region. Plant with access to full-sun. Keep well-watered and well-drained.
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