You have the seeds, so now what? Well, now it’s time to consider desert willow seed germination. Another option would be to set aside some of the pods to brew with dried flowers for a medicinal tea.
Other uses for seeds: You may want to consider leaving some of the pods on the tree for the birds who seek them for forage. Art Combe, a southwestern plant expert, created such a cultivar and it is known as Chilopsis linearis ‘Art’s Seedless.’ There are seedless varieties of desert willow in existence for people with this mindset. Please note: Some gardeners opt to harvest all the seed pods from the tree purely for aesthetics, as some feel the seed pods give the tree a shaggy appearance over the winter months and frown upon the litter the pods leave under the tree. You are now ready for desert willow seed propagation.
When you split the dried pods open, you will discover that each individual seed pod contains hundreds of tiny oval brown hairy seeds. You will want to harvest the seeds in late summer or early fall when the pods turn dry and brown, but prior to the pods splitting open. After the desert willow’s showy flowers bloom, the tree will produce long, 4 to 12 inch (10-31 cm.) narrow seed pods. The first step when planting desert willow seeds is to acquire the seed. It also lends a sense of grandeur to the landscape with its willow-like leaves and fragrant pink to lavender trumpet-shaped blossoms that attract our pollinating friends: the hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees! Right now, your interest is piqued and you’re wondering, “How do I go about growing desert willow from seed?” Well, you’re in luck, because this just so happens to be an article about planting desert willow seeds! Read on to learn more. It’s drought tolerant, easy to care for, and grows rapidly. You may be lucky and be rewarded with a big beautiful bloom by the end of the season, or you may have to wait one more year.Those living in USDA zones 7b through 11 are often enchanted with desert willow and for good reason. After a short adjustment period, the lotus plants should start growing enthusiastically. Transfer the whole plant with roots still buried in the clay soil when spring growth allows the plant to form at least four good-sized leaves floating on the water surface or the lotus starts to send up aerial leaves. The water needs to consistently be warm to wake them up. They can be late to start re-growth in the spring, so be patient.
Often plants will go dormant for a while so don't think it's dead. Overwinter the young lotus in its water-filled container away from heavy frosts. The water level should be kept at least 4 to 6 inches above the top of the soil level.
WANDERING WILLOWS PLANT LOTUS SEED PATCH
File or sand a little patch of the dark brown seed cover off until you see a whitish color beneath.