How to save seeds of Eucommia ulmoides

How to get Eucommia seeds

Eucommia ulmoides, also known as rubber wood, is a plant of the Eucommia family and the Eucommia genus. The plant can reach a height of 20 meters and a breast diameter of about 50 centimeters. Eucommia ulmoides has seeds, blooms in early spring, and the fruits mature in autumn and form seeds.

Eucommia ulmoides seeds

Eucommia seeds are generally difficult to germinate because they contain eucommia gum, which will affect the seeds' water absorption and swelling. In addition, the seeds need to go through a low-temperature dormancy period before they can germinate normally. Therefore, the seeds must be processed before sowing so that the germination rate will be higher.

You can keep the seeds of Eucommia ulmoides for yourself. The seeds should not be dried out. It is best to sow them immediately after harvesting. After autumn, the fruits mature and form seeds, which can be peeled and collected.

Eucommia ulmoides seeds storage

After harvesting Eucommia seeds, they need to be dried in the sun. After they are dry, they can be placed in a paper bag and sealed for moisturizing preservation and storage.

Eucommia seeds planting

Eucommia seeds are suitable for sowing in November and December in winter and February and March in spring. Choose fresh, plump, yellowish-brown and shiny seeds and sow them when the monthly average temperature reaches above 10 degrees. Generally, warm places are suitable for winter sowing, and cold places are suitable for autumn sowing or spring sowing to meet the low temperature conditions required for seed germination.

If spring sowing is required, the collected seeds can be stratified with the ratio of seeds to wet sand being 1:10, or before sowing, the seeds can be soaked in warm water at 20 degrees for 2-3 days, changing the water 1-2 times a day, and after the seeds swell, take them out and place them in a ventilated place to dry slightly before sowing.

When sowing Eucommia ulmoides, the spacing should be controlled well, with a row spacing of 20-25 cm. Cover with grass after sowing and keep the soil moist to facilitate seed germination. After the seedlings emerge from the soil, the grass can be removed on a cloudy day.