Fastest Growing TREE - Empress Tree (Paulownia Shantong) From Seed!

- Please inform yourself whether you are allowed to plant this tree in your state. It could possibly be invasive -

Let`s make the world a healthier place.

Trees are the lungs of our planet, but a lot of them are beeing cut down, especially in the rainforest. But we can make a change and grow some on our own. If every person plants out just one single tree, it would have an huge impact.

But as always, we wanted more. A normal tree just does not grow quick enough. So we searched for a faster growing tree with a high CO2 consumption rate and finally we found Paulownia Shantong.

It is a hybrid between Paulownia tomentosa and the white Paulowina. It grows faster than the other varieties, very straight and has a higher tolerance against frost (up to minus 25 degree Celsius).The Tree reaches a height up to 15 m and could be harvested within 10 years with a diameter of 35 cm. It has huge leaves and beautiful flowers.

In this instructable I am going to explain the best way to germinate seeds and how to transplant the seedling

If you like the instructable, don`t forget to subscribe to our channel. Have fun reading =)

Step 1: Materials

Paulownia Shantong seed (it is better to buy a few more seeds, so you are able to transplat just the best growing ones)

http://goo.gl/95boEA

Sand

Water

A small plastic box

good quality potting soil http://goo.gl/PnHHnD

A bigger plastic box/ indoor green house http://goo.gl/DvpsLV

Plastic cups

Dibber (recommended) or a thin pencil http://goo.gl/5fLzwE

Step 2: Buy Good Quality Seeds

Paulownia Shantong seed is a bit more expensive than other Paulownia because it is a hybrid, but it grows much better and it is worth the very small price difference.

One tree should be worth at least 150 € after 10 years, so do not save money on the wrong side. You want to grow best quality trees.

Step 3: Stratification

This a process of treating seed to simulate a winter.

Take a small plastic box, mix your seed with sand and add a little bit of water to keep the sand – seed mixture moist (3 parts sand, 1 part seed). Than you put this for 3 weeks into the fridge. Temperatures must be between 1°C and 5°C (34°F and 41°F). This cold and moist environment triggers a chemical reaction, which is needed to enable the seed to germinate.

I `ve also tried to germinate some seeds without stratification and without sand and it really worked out with a few seeds. Also I tried to germinate them in a bottle of water, like i saw it on youtube. But the results with stratification and sand were much better!

Step 4: Sowing

After 3 weeks, prepare an indoor greenhouse or a plastic box with the potting soil and moisten it. Sow your seeds on the soil. Paulownia Shantong is a light germinator, so do not put any soil above your seed. Don`t let the substrate dry out and don`t keep it too wet. Temperature must be between 23°C and 27°C (73,4°F and 80,6°F). Germination should occur between 2 and 4 weeks if you do it this way.

Step 5: Transplanting the Seedlings

As soon as the seedlings look like the ones in the picture above, you can start transplanting them in single pots. I use plastic cups, because they are cheap and easy to handle. Fill the cups with potting soil (you want to mix it with garden soil, because now you need a few more plant nutrients) and water it to moisten your substrate, than carefully dig one seedling out with the help of a dibber and put it in your single pot. Ensure that the roots are covered with soil and act very gently to not harm your seedlings. Now put your seedlings to a little bit colder but bright place or use a grow light. Water them as much as required.

And you have to wait until your seedlings are strong enough to be transplanted outside or to be transplanted into a bigger pot. This may take a while, because young trees are vulnerable to frost and after you `ve put so much effort in growing your seedlings, you don`t want to harm them.

Step 6: Updates

We will keep this instructable updated and we will show you, how the empress tree is developing.

We hope you have enjoyed this instructable. If you have any question feel free to ask us. We will answer you as soon as we can.

Check also how to grow tomatoes

https://www.instructables.com/id/Grow-the-best-toma...

or a real giant pumpkin with a few hundred lbs!

https://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-grow-a-gian...

To start seeds indoors, you should also have a grow light. Look at this if you want to build cheap and easy ones on your own. https://www.instructables.com/id/60W-30-Dimmable-LE...

Please do not forget to vote. Thank you for reading and try it on your own =)