Review by Lawrence L. So for Japanese Pagoda Tree 10 Seeds – Sophora – Bonsai -SALE*
Rating:
These seeds were purchased at the beginning of August and were immediately sowed. Five were sowed in potting soil with slight acidity (as opposed to a seeding mixture) and the other five were sowed in cotton balls. The black seeds look like round beans approximately 6-7mm in diameter.

In 10 days (Aug 2 – Aug 12) I noticed that all of the seeds in the cotton balls had already started germinating which was surprising because the note that was included with the seeds indicated “MAY BE SLOW GERMINATING”. I checked the ones in soil and all but one germinated. (That was probably my fault because I accidentally damaged the seed a week prior when I noticed that the husk was molding.) So of the ten seeds I received nine germinated, which is a surprising rate. I’m not an expert on Japanese Pagoda propagation so this may, in fact, be the normal success rate.

The husks of the seeds in the soil all developed mold while none developed in the cotton balls. The mold did not interfere with germination but is an unsightly fuzzy, greenish mold you usually find on old bread.

Here’s what the note that was included stated if anyone is wondering:

“JAPANESE PAGODA TREE – SOPHORA JAPONICA

SOW JUST BELOW THE SURFACE IN A HIGH QUALITY SEEDING MIXTURE. PROVIDE TEMPERATURES OF 72F OR HIGHER. KEEP EVENLY MOIST & PROVIDE LIGHT & HIGH HUMIDITY. MAY BE SLOW GERMINATING[.]”

With all but one seed having germinated the seeds that were sent were of excellent quality which is what Hirt’s provided. What happens with the Japanese Pagoda seedlings is now up to me.