Formosa Acacia (Taiwan Acacia) Seeds Germination

Formosa Acacia is a type of seed which can still germinate after decades of preservation. However,some steps are important to guaranteed a high success rate.

First of all,soaking is essential to crack the hard shell of Formosa Acacia.

Preperation:

1.Small or medium size bucket

2. Hot water (70-80 degree celcius)

3.Lukewarm water

4.Sieve

Steps of soaking treatment:

1.Place the seeds in the bucket, pour in the hot water.

2.Wait till the water cools off eventually. Throw away seeds that floats (these seeds usually do not germinate).

3.Change the water into lukewarm water and soak the seeds for 12 hours.

4. After 12 hours, check if the seed shell has crack,if yes pick it out to start planting. If not,continue the soaking to up to 24 hours.

Planting Preparation:

1. Potting mix (detailed in the product listing information and on the seed package).Basically,ask the nursery for a general purpose compost should fits well. The compost should be neutral and sandy. To minimize possible molding problem, make sure the compost you bought is sterile (most commercial compost are). Preferably, buy a new pack instead of using an already opened one.

2. Seed Tray.

3. 10% Hydrogen peroxide solution(common bleach) *optional but recommended

4. Gardening glove

5. A pair of Tweezers

6. General purpose fungicide (optional but recommended)
7. Sieve

Planting Steps:

1. Transfer the seedlings with a pair of tweezers and plant them into the soil. 

2. After transferring seedlings from stratification,use fungicide to prevent molding problems. Follow instruction on the fungicide label for amount and frequency of application. (This step is optional but recommended)
3. Provide sufficient light for the seedlings. Try putting the seed tray or pot under moderate sunlight - 4-8 hours a day is enough. *Avoid prolonged strong light for seedlings to prevent drying the seedlings up or burning them. 

Notes:

1. Do not plant the seeds or seedlings under extremely temperature. Temperature below 15 degree Celcius or above 30 degree Celcius normally guarantee a poor result.