Rather how to STOP Leopard seed from germinating LOL.
Gather fallen pods (I guess you have?) Shake, if a rattle you have seeds. Pods are a bit hard I use a nut-cracker. Free your seed. They stay viable a good while but if you want to sow now they probably won't need much treatment.
- poor hot water over and soak overnight or
-abrade them with a bit of sandpaper or even rub a bit on brick or concrete to just weaken one side of the seed.
Plant at about (soory old folk talk) 1/4 inch maybe 1/2 centimetre ?. Place somewhere warm but not in hot sun and be patient. Oh yes tree seed does better if roots not disturmbed for a bit so sow in a small individual pot if you have to spare - like a 2 inch tube then you can move on later.

A couple of weeks, Melanie, I would think, but don;t give up on them. It's quite a hard seed coat.

Seed pods are dropping like bullets here at the moment do you want me to save you some more seed? I'll just be throwing pods out otherwise.

You can e-mail me thru "MY PAGE"

Alison thank you so much for your reply. I planted 10 seeds and within a week 2 seeds have sprouted so I am thrilled. I did soak them in Nutrisoil overnight as I do with all my seeds before planting. Keeping fingers crossed the others will too.

Will contact you via "My Page" about getting some more from you.

Many thanks once again.
Melanie

Thanks so much for this information. I have just been given some Leopard Tree seed pods and had no idea what to do to grow them here in Australia. Looking forward to this new adventure!

I am Estelle from South Africa and want to plant my Leopart tree seeds soon, I really appreciate your advise. I am going to plant my seeds in black plastic bags. What I need to know is what kind of soil do I need to plant the seeds in and hoe often do I water them.

Thanks for your advise.

Estelle

Estelle, if by "black plastic bags" you mean those sort used in plant nurseries that hold a couple of litres of soil, that's too big a container. You want to start the plants in smaller containers and transplant later. Something about the size of a plastic cup (but with drainage holes). Any soil will do but for best results use something sterile... maybe 1/2 sand and 1/2 coir mix. Seeds should be kept only from drying out, never drowned or over-watered. It depends on your climate and conditions. If the seed pots are not covered, then maybe you need to mist them once a day. If thepots are covered with clear plastic in shade, maybe only need to water once a week.

I just got a few pods started and really appreciate this post, mahalo

I'll add another word, from the experience of a few more years. Position!

My tree has topped out at about 40 feet, but had I planned it better it would have been planted further down my yard, where it was a shield to summer sun, instead of casting a bit too much shade in winter.

Further from the house would also have helped in nuisance factors. I can't minimise that those seed pods, when they fall, can hit a metal or plastic roof with some force and noise. At the moment we have high winds and bats in the trees at night shaking them around. It sounds like a battle-ground out there.

(And terrifies the dog when she's trying to have a contemplative toilet moment on the grass.)

My tree also proved a highway for the local possums moving from yard to yard, and one or two of those springing onto your roof with hobnail boots in the middle of the night, can be disturbing. :-)

Hi

I would like to know from Estelle in South Africa if she managed to get the seed to germinate. I am also in SA and want to grow these trees from the seed and can't seem to get it right.

Ansu