Tree Seeds - African tulip , Ornamental

Generally hardy, and serves as a beautiful tree for landscaping, providing shade as well. African tulip trees are also known as Indian cedar, scarlet bell tree, and fountain tree.

The African tulip tree is a popular ornamental shade tree, prized for its orange-red tulip-shaped blossoms. Commonly known as flame-of-the-forest, Indian cedar, scarlet bell tree, fountain tree, flame tree or Santo Dominga mahogany, the disease-resistant African tulip tree is ever-blooming, with shiny, dark green pinnate leaves. 
Easily grown from seed, these tropical trees grow best in warm and moist conditions. African tulip trees grow well outdoors in Sunset’s Climate USDA zones 10 and 11. In cooler areas, African tulip trees are best grown in containers that can be moved indoors when the temperature drops.
How to Grow African Tulip Tree Seeds
1 Place the seeds in a shallow glass bowl, and cover them with lukewarm water. Soak the seeds for 48 hours, and then drain the water from the seeds. Growing an African tulip tree from seed is not difficult. However, either purchased or gathered seed germination is erratic, and approximately 50 percent of the small seeds will not germinate.
2 Prepare a seed-planting soil mixture by combining equal parts of potting soil, organic compost and peat moss. Mix the materials until the mix is loose and crumbly. Fill nursery planting trays with the planting mixture. Water the soil and allow it to drain. The soil should be moist but not soggy.
3 Scatter the African tulip tree seeds evenly over the surface of the soil and press down gently. Do not cover with additional soil, because the seeds require light to germinate. Using a spray bottle, mist the surface of the soil lightly with water. Cover each planting tray with a clear dome lid to retain moisture, and place the trays in a warm location. The trays should be located in an area with abundant light. Avoid direct sunlight, which can burn the tender young seedlings. Keep the tree seeds evenly moist by misting with water daily. The seeds germinate quickly, often as early as two weeks after planting.
4 Remove the plastic domes covering the seed trays when the seeds have germinated. Remove the weakest seedlings to provide room for the strongest plants to develop. Cut off week seedlings at the soil level with shears; pulling out the dead seedlings can damage the roots of nearby healthy plants. Keep the soil evenly moist until the seedlings are about 2 to 3 inches tall and have developed two leaves.
5 Select the strongest seedlings for transplanting to a container for outdoor growing. African tulip trees may also be grown indoors in a sunny location. Plant the tender young seedlings, one to a pot. Use 8-inch pots to start your new African tulip tree seedlings. Transplant to larger pots as the plants mature. When a tree is approximately 2 feet tall, the potted plant may be moved to a sunny outdoor location.
Collection Locale:China