Ever craved a majestic mini-me of the giant African Baobab (Adansonia Digitata)?
This step-by-step guide will guide you to grow the majestic African Baobab from seed.
I’ll be sharing two methods that has been tried and tested with thousands of seeds.
Method 1 is the method that has had the best germination success rate FOR ME.
Method 2 is just an shorter, easier and less laborious version of method one.
Materials needed:
• Fresh seeds
• Sanding paper or a steel file
• Pliers
• Container & paper towel
Method 1: More labor, more success.
First things first, let’s separate the viable seeds from the not-so-lucky ones.
Fill a container with water and gently drop your seeds in.
Those that joyfully sink are ready to embark on their sprouting adventure, while those that prefer to float can be gently returned to the compost heap.
Baobab seeds have a VERY strong outer shell.
This is to protect the seed against stomach acid from hungry animals such as elephants and antelope.
That’s why it’s recommended to sand or file it, to allow water to reach the actual seed.
Some seeds might have a crack or weak point already, but most don’t.
File the bottom part of the “bean”. That’s the part where it makes 2 bottoms.
Remember, precision is key! Just like a skilled sculptor, we want to buff away the outer layer until we see a change in brown.
Best would be to look at the image below:
If you see white, you went too far. Don’t throw it away tho, you might be lucky and it may still germinate.
Once your seed has been filed, give them a nice relaxing bath by putting them into a glass or plastic container filled with water.
Soak them for about 24 hours.
Then you will see they have swollen up quite a bit.
If they haven’t, then the outer layer has not been fully filed and the water hasn’t gone through.
You can just give it another file if that’s the case.
If they are swollen, then you can go ahead and place the seeds in a container.
Cover them with a paper towel and mist spray the paper towel.
We want it moist, not too wet, otherwise it will get mold and rot.
Covering them with a moist paper towel will soften the outer layer.
Check them every now and then to see if they are still moist and just to have some air flow to prevent mold.
Prepare the amount of plant bags or containers with a proper well draining soil.
They do not like sitting in water and will rot very easily, so make sure it’s a loose well draining soil.
I use a seedling and sand mix, but any succulent mix would be fine.
They really do grow the best in a loose, fine (not large pieces of bark) soil mix.
My seeds are planted in 1.25 liter bags, because it’s deep enough for the taproot to develop and small enough to have a lot of bags without breaking the bank when bulk germinating.
When the root appears and has grown about 1 or 2cm, then it’s time to peel off the outer layer.
Have a look at the image down below:
This is a very delicate process as you don’t want to harm the seed.
You will probably break a few, we all have, but just try to be delicate.
I usually start at the side of the leaves, then work my way to the root.
You’ll see the middle part is like a tummy.
That I’ll do last with a sliding/wiggling motion, rather than a pulling motion.
If you are a bit scared to do this, feel free to watch the video at the bottom of the article first to see how I do it.
Planting time
Simply make a hole with a stick, about 2cm deep, and place the seed root facing down.
Cover it up and place it in a warm sunny spot.
Wait for the soil to dry a bit out before watering.
My 1.25 litre bags dry out quite quickly when it’s sunny and hot, so I’ll water them every 2 days or so.
I can’t tell you to water it X amount times per week, because I don’t know what your conditions are like.
So the best time to water is only when it’s dried out.
Remember, larger pots and bags hold moisture longer, so don’t assume the top dryness means it’s time to water. There could still be a lot of moisture just under the surface.
Caring for seedlings
Your tiny baobabs have taken their first steps towards becoming majestic trees!
Now comes the fun part… nurturing them into thriving little plants.
Here’s what they need to flourish:
Sunshine – Think sun-drenched savanna! Aim for at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Warmth – Baobab seedlings love it cozy! Aim for temperatures between 25°C and 36°C. If your winter dips below 12°C, bring them indoors to a warm, sunny spot.
Watering – This is where it gets tricky! Baobabs are technically succulents, so they prefer dry soil. Wait until the top inch of soil feels completely dry before giving them a good soak. Then, let the soil dry out again before repeating. Remember, overwatering is their enemy! Don’t give them ANY water during the winter. NONE! I know that’s hard, but that’s how they are built.
Fertilizer – Any organic fertilizer can give them a nice boost during their growing season (spring and summer). Something like worm castings or guano fertilizer.
In winter, your baobabs will enter dormancy. They’ll lose all their leaves and stop growing. During this time, stop watering completely. Think of it as a deep meditation session – they don’t need any hydration until spring arrives (wait for the first leaves).
Transplanting: Hold off on moving your baobabs for now. They’re still fragile little sprouts and need time to develop strong roots. I will say, play it safe and wait a year before planting them in a bigger pot.
Some will die, some will flourish, that’s life, don’t beat yourself up.
Summary
- Sort the good seeds from the bad seeds
- Sand/file the seeds
- Soak for 24 hours
- Place in container and cover with moist paper towel
- When 2cm roots developed, remove the entire outer layer
- Plant in well draining soil
Method 2: The easier way.
- Sort the good seeds from the bad seeds
- Sand/file the seeds
- Soak for 24 hours
- Plant soaked seeds in well draining soil
FAQ
Q: When is the best time to germinate?
A: Best time to germinate is mid/late spring. This is to avoid any last cold fronts that might come at the start of spring. Baobabs don’t like anything under 16° C.
Q: Why did my seeds mould?
A: It could be one of a few things, but usually it has been too wet. It could also be that the ambient temperature was too cold. They like heat with a touch of dryness!
Q: Why is my seedling growing so slow?
A: That’s just one of the things about Baobabs, they are slow growing, unless you live in the tropics. To live 2000 years, you gotta take things easy!
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us!