Dear Etsy Fans, Please find for sale 10 fresh Chinese Sweet Gum (Liquidambar Formosana) seeds. This beautiful tree is actually not a gum, whilst looking similar it is in fact from the genus Liquidambar. Native originally to East Asia, it is now grown in many parts of the world as an attractive feature tree & is also a popular bonsai specimen. This tree should be fully hard in sheltered spots all over the UK. PLEASE NOTE: All orders received before 8pm (Mon-Fri) will be dispatched same day SAVE PACKAGING MATERIALS - SEE OTHER INTERESTING & UNUSUAL SEEDS & PLANTS in MY SHOP INSTRUCTIONS - I am reducing paper waste by no longer sending paper instructions to customers. All the information required is detailed below so bookmark this page. in Spring & Summer the tree features large green sycamore-like leaves which are hairy on the under-side. The new foliage has a lavender tint & when crushed the leaves have a pleasant scent - the leases are still used as the basis for scents in many parts of the world. The tree’s bark has an attractive knarled appearance. As a late leaf-dropper, the tree puts on a stunning maple-like display right into December. Germination Guide For optimal germination rates, Sweet Gum seeds benefit from cold stratification. Stratification is a process of simulating natural conditions that the seeds must experience before germination can occur (if a seed germinates in the middle of winter it will die). in the wild, seed dormancy is usually overcome by the seed spending time in the ground through a winter period & having its hard seed coat softened up by frost & weathering action. This cold, moist period triggers the seed’s embryo; its growth & subsequent expansion eventually break through the softened seed coat in its search for sun & nutrients. STOP PRESS Winter 2020/21 All my seeds that require cold stratification, including this listing have been kept in cold conditions for the last few months. As such they should not require any additional cold stratification to get good germination rates. A few extra weeks however in the fridge might however optimise germination Sow at any time of year Soak the seeds in a glass of tepid water for 24 hours Sow circa 2mm deep in moist porous seed mix - ideally a mix of 50% regular compost, 50% vermiculite (which I sell in the Accessories section of my eBay shop) Keep at 15-20c Ensure compost does not dry out Germination generally occurs from around 2-4 weeks depending on conditions Pot on to individual 9cm pots once seedlings large enough to handle Olly’s General Guide to Seed Sowing! I love sowing seeds & it runs in the family - dad, granddad & finally my great-granddad for whom the hobby helped him get over his experiences in the Great War. I still get a big kick when I see the first seedling poking through from a new plant that I have never sown before or been successful at. However, even the most experienced gardeners draw blanks from time to time. Whilst I sow all the seeds that I sell so
