I wonder if you germinate them in coarse perlite (no soil) and just water them enough to keep them barely damp and making sure the pots are very well draining if they would rot less. I have germinated seeds that way. I also have used those sponge Biodome seed cell things with the Biodome planter from Park Seed. They do a great job at keeping seeds from rotting. I have germinated some especially troublesome seeds that way. I also usually use bottom heat to get them going quickly before they rot lol.

Are you aware that the FDA banned Tonka beans from food because they contain the liver toxin, coumarin? See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coumarin . In case you just like smelling Tonka beans, it's cheaper to buy pure coumarin and smell that.

Toxic if you eat them by a shovel full; so is ginger, mace, etc.

Hey cinnamontree! Do you have some updates on how your experiments went? I'm also really motivated to grow a Dipteryx odorata myself.

I'm interested in an update. After much research, there is nothing illegal about owning or growing or purchasing tonka beans or a dipteryx odorata tree. What is illegal is selling food products that uses tonka beans as an ingredient.

I'm looking for some beans to sprout or some seedlings.

I've only got a contact in Puerto Rico and have asked if they know anyone, but it is not a promising lead.

Hello greetings, stumbled upon this while trying to find info on how to germ fresh Tonka I collected while in forest over weekend, I thought I could offer you'll some germplasm if u wish, and an observation that the seeds that do survive the paca germinate on top the soil

Hi CinnamonTree. Have you continued to work with Tonka? Do you provide seeds to other growers? Would love to hear more

please let me know if you have some for sale. I am interested and have looked myself for years. I have other seed you may like. I grow many different hardwoods and plants. Andrew

hi CinnamonTree,how are your tonka plants doing now?

It would be wonderful, if you can explain me how to grow tonka bean. Since I am going to use it in some dishes of Venezuelan cuisine and being intereted in gorwing it, your opinion would be really helpful.

Here is a licensed supplier for those interested. I recently purchased 1 oz (approximately 20-21) beans for making tinctures for fragrances and they were ALL extremely fresh and high quality. Hope this helps :) https://www.greencottagecreek.com/product/tonka-dypterix-odorata-cumaru-bean/

please put viable seeds up for sale. i cant find them anywhere !!!! my email is keythgarcia808@gmail.com

I am going to get some from the post above your! https://www.greencottagecreek.com/product/tonka-dypterix-odorata-cumaru-bean/

How are your tonka beans growing? I'm excited to try growing some for myself... but i cannot find beans with the husk on - i saw a video that they need the husk to grow for some reason.

are you selling any? pls email me heathermitchell2009@gmail dot com :)

Hey Tonka gang, I'm back! Plus, I have some great news.

Germination:

I have figured out more or less how to germinate the seeds and why they were rotting for me so much. If the fruits are extremely fresh, the seeds can be taken out or left inside the husk, and they will germinate either way. Since any fruits you would get are likely not extremely fresh (considering harvest, cleaning, and shipping), I would leave them inside the husk for germination. Taking them outside of the husk when they are not fresh will absolutely encourage molding and subsequent loss of germplasm. Last year I was able to germinate 16/17 successfully by leaving them inside the husk and patiently waiting. They take months to pop up out of the soil and show leaves, so you really do need to be patient. Also, planting the seeds sideways, and half inside the soil, half outside, is the best method I have found. It allows aeration, but moisture retention, while also allowing the root to orient itself easily. If the soil dries out during this process, the seed may perish, so be sure to keep it moist, but not moldy.

Live Trees:

I personally have two sapling trees that are 1 year old growing in 5 gallon pots, and the rest have been either donated or have been purchased. My trees have survived a few nights into the upper 40s F and showed zero cold damage. As long as they stay above 40 F and are mostly warm they will be totally fine.

There are two trees at the Naples Botanical Gardens, one in ground in the actual gardens, and one in their nursery. The one in ground is struggling and looks very unhealthy, but also has been outdoors for the entire winter. I hope it recovers.

There is one FIVE FOOT TALL TREE at the Fruit and Spice Park in Miami from seeds that I donated years ago. They are planting it in ground any day now. I visited it in their greenhouse this past week and I was brought to tears at how good of a job they did with it.

There are supposedly a few trees alive from seeds I donated in the greenhouse at Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden, but I cannot confirm nor do I know where they are located within the garden.

There is one sapling, one year old, in the ground at a public food forest. I don't want to release any more details because there have been theft issues in the past with trees in this particular food forest.

Now for the really good news...

I have 15 fresh seeds for purchase, available as of today. They are in their husks still, and although I cannot guarantee that they'll all germinate, my rate from this provider was incredible last round and I am confident the majority will germinate. Please email me at the address I placed in an above post if you are interested in buying a few. I recommend two at least, but considering their price ($30 each) I understand if you're only wanting to buy one. Remember, this took me almost 10 years to sort out logistically and gain experience! If you're serious about growing this plant, this is your opportunity.

Aloha, this is Andrew in hawaii. i lost your phone contact. please text me.

Andrew, sent you an email including my phone number. I don't believe I ever received yours.

Looking for any one will to buy tanko bean am from Trinidad and Tobago could be contacted whatapp 18687702456

Hello, I am from Tenerife, Canary Islands. I am interested in purchasing few Tonka Beans to plant. Are there any available? Do you ship to the Canary Islands (Spain)? Thank you.

Hi! I know i am late to this party, but if you have beans to sell again sometime i would love some (I am in New Orleans). my email is courseysATgmail

I am wondering if Fairchild or The Fruit and Spice Park ever got any of their donated seeds to germinate?

Looking for buyers of seed whatapp18687702456

What ever amount needed

I have 3 trees on my land here in Grenada. The tonka beans are of supreme quality and I am willing to sell them. Import license/permit need to be arranged at your end.Grown on very fertile organic soil, free of any chemicals and/or artificial fertilizers (only goat manure).It's harvest season now so the sooner the better if you want to use them to grow your own tree.

You can contact me on info@grenadablooms.com