Styrax obassia seeds (Fragrant Snowbell)

Description

A wonderful small tree renowned for its abundant tresses of fragrant white bell like flowers with bright golden yellow staemens. Lovely large (20 cm) oval green leaves nicely serrated or toothed. For evenly moist soils as it doesn’t thrive in extended overly dry sites. Dirr states that this species is hardier and more drought tolerant than its S. japonica cousin.  Maintenance free. Hardy enough to be a street tree.

• Seed Count: 12-15
• Collection Date: Oct 2021
• Hardiness Zone: 5-9
• Height and Width 9m-5m
• Germination test type: hand sort
• Family: Styraceae

How to germinate Styrax obassia seeds:

Soak seed 24 hours. Break dormancy by placing seed in a resealable baggie of moist peat and warm stratify at 18 C for 4 weeks. Then place baggie in the fridge for a cold stratification period of 11 weeks. Sow seed 10mm deep in pots filled with well draining humus rich (acidic) medium. Should germinate in 14-21 days. Watch for early sprouters during the warm stratification stage. Fast growers with deep tap roots so use the right sized containers.