Growing ginkgo from seeds

Where can I get germinable seeds from?

A ginkgo is only sexually mature when it is around 20 to 35 years old; there are male and female trees. Bear only the female trees fruit and fertilization is necessary for germinable seeds. So it is better not to wait for seeds from your own garden, but to contact a seed store.

What is the best way to sow the seeds?

the Seeds are nutty and relatively hard. It is therefore often recommended that you roughen the seeds a little (for example with sandpaper or a file) and carefully score with a sharp knife. Then put the prepared seeds in a container with lukewarm water. There you let the seeds soak for 24 hours, this will speed up germination a little.

A loose mixture of earth and sand is suitable as a substrate, the seeds should only be covered very thinly with it. Ginkgo takes a long time to germinate. It takes at least three to four weeks, but sometimes the seeds take six or more weeks to germinate. Above all, darkness and excessively cool temperatures prolong the germination time.

Keep the seeds constantly moist and warm during this time. Choose a large enough pot for sowing so that you do not have the seedlings too soon transplant they have very sensitive roots.

The essentials in brief:

• Roughen and scratch the seeds
• Soak in lukewarm water for 24 hours
• Place individually in pots with a mixture of soil and sand
• Cover thinly with soil
• water lightly
• put in a warm, light place
• keep evenly moist and warm
• Germination time: at least 3 to 4 weeks, but can also take longer
• Darkness and cold extend the germination time