Before They Became Trees, They were Seeds

We rarely see pictures of seeds so I am posting images of some native tree seeds for easy identification for those who are interested.

First are seeds of tindalo or Afzelia rhomboidea. These came from trees in San Miguel, Bulacan, in the farm of Reynold Sioson. I was advised to scarify (don't know if this was even a word but heard the term from plant enthusiasts meaning manually inflict scarring) the hard surface to induce early germination. I did by rubbing them on sandpaper and soaking the seeds overnight in tap water. True enough they germinated in the following weeks. I received 20 seeds and about half sprouted.

Next is kulatingan or Pterospermum obliquum, which also came from Reynold. These I easily planted in organic soil mix and about a handful germinated after a month they were planted.

In the past month I have been posting pics of lipote or Syzygium polycephalum. Its seeds have very short shelf life and should be planted fresh. To preserve them longer, they could be kept moist or in a damp area. Unplanted seeds readily germinate with a very high success ratio.

A cousin of tindalo is the endemic supa or Sindora supa. the seeds are also encased with a hard cover. They could be scarified and soaked in tap water overnight resulting to a fast and high yield germination ratio. If scarification is not done, seed may take a number of months before it sprouts a seedling. It may even take as long as ayear after planting.

Last for this installment are the nuts of lumbang or Aleurites moluccana. Trees profusely bear fruits and eventually the nuts whcih later fall on the ground. I am not sure if the bounty of this year's fruits will easily germinate. But most fruiting trees I saw would have numerous wildlings growing under mother tree's shade.

I will post more seed pictures in the next days. But for now I hope the people who were lucky acquire the seeds mentioned would be aided by the few tips mentioned. Happy planting!