Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis)


Fruit

Seed

Seedling

 

Propagation Method

Seed collection: Eastern redbud fruits are pods. The pods can be collected in fall and winter after the pods turn from green to dark brown.

Seeds are removed by peeling apart the pods around the seeds. Discard misshapen, off-colored seeds, or seeds with small holes that may indicate the presence of seed weevils. Seeds can be stored dry for long periods in the refrigerator.

Seed dormancy: Redbud seeds have combinational dormancy. This means that they have both physical and physiological dormancy.

Seed germination: Scarify seeds to break physical dormancy and allow water uptake. Stratify seeds using moist chilling for 60 days to satisfy physiological dormancy. Following stratification, sow seeds in a nursery container to produce a seedling or sow them in a plastic container in the classroom to observe germination.

Return to propagation selection page

Return to Kentucky Trees