Calycanthus chinensis seeds (Chinese Wax Shrub)

Description

Resembling its cousin, Calycanthus floridus, in leaf and form, this species’ notable feature are the camellia-magnolia like ‘cup and saucer’ thick waxy blooms which appear May to July. The saucer is made up of layers of pale ivory pink petals (really tepals) with an inner cluster or cup of beeswax golden yellow of curved petals. Truly unique. Lovely butter yellow fall colour. Foliage of this species tends to be more round than its North American Cousins. Be careful when pruning as it flowers on new wood. Blooms at a young age. Pest free and deer don’t seem to bother it.

• Seed Count: 15-20
• Collection Date: Jan 2016
• Hardiness Zone: 6-9
• Height and Width: 2m x 3m
• Germination test type: hand sort
• Family: Calycanthaceae

How to germinate Calycanthus chinensis seeds:

Pour one cup of very warm tap water over seed and soak 12-24 hours. Sow, barely covering seed, and tamp soil. Give 30 days cold moist stratification. Plastic cover greatly improves success. Move to warm site 15-22C. Days to germinate: 14-35. Easy way: soak in ‘Skookum Grow’ for 48 hours, then sow in a resealable baggie and provide warmth (20C) and some light. It starts germinating in 3-7 days. Transplant when a brownish hue on the seed root develops. Huge root system so use the appropriate sized container. Keep warm, moist (not wet) and give light. Seedling leaves look like green butterflies.