Dwarf Umbrella

Potting Mix

Plant umbrella tree seeds in a commercial potting mix or make what is known as the peat-lite mix, developed by Cornell University and used by commercial growers for decades.

For 2 quarts of peat-lite, mix 1 quart of No. 2 size vermiculite with 1 quart of peat moss, 1/2 teaspoon of ground limestone and 1/2 teaspoon of 5-10-5 fertilizer.

Soaking the Seeds

Horticulturalists at Cornell University recommend soaking dwarf umbrella tree seeds in hot water for 12 hours before you sow them.

Use four times as much water as the volume of seeds.

The water should be 140 F.

If you soak the seeds in hot water before you plant them, 97 percent should germinate in about 39 days.

Planting Seeds

Dwarf umbrella tree seeds are a medium-sized seed.

Sow them twice as deep as their size.

After you plant them, water the medium enough to make it moist but not soggy.

Keep the planting medium between 75 and 85 F and out of direct sunlight.