- Tulip tree blossoms eventually produce seeds.Lobsang Studio/Creatas/Getty Images
Deciduous and evergreen trees all produce seeds that can be germinated under widely varying conditions. Trees seed at different times of year, some need cold stratification before planting, some need to be dried, while others should not dry out before planting. The University of Illinois recommends looking for tulip tree seeds in August and September for spring germination. - Hunt for tulip tree seeds at the foot of a healthy tulip tree when small, tan seed cones litter the ground. Cones should be closed tight. Store them in a bowl and let cones dry for seven to 20 days. Cones will naturally burst open when they are sufficiently dehydrated. Shake the dried seeds out onto a cloth.
- Store the seeds in a plastic bag of moist soilless potting mix in your refrigerator until early spring. This process, called cold stratification, mimics what would happen to the seed if it stayed outdoors in winter. You're actually tricking the tulip tree seed into getting ready to germinate. Check the seeds periodically to be sure they don't dry out during cold stratification.
- Prepare a seed tray with 3 inches of moist potting soil. Scatter the seeds on top, and cover with 1/4-inch of loose, moist soil. Keep the tray in a warm, sunny spot in your home, keeping the soil moist at intervals. Moisture and warmth will mimic the conditions that bring tulip tree seeds out of dormancy and help them germinate. This process can take two to three weeks. Thin seedlings to 8 inches apart when they appear, and transplant outdoors in May.
previous post
next post