Paulownia tomentosa

Germination

Sow indoors at any time. Surface sow onto moist, well-drained seed compost. Just cover seed with a sprinkling of soil. Place in a propagator, ideal temp. 18-20°C. Do not exclude light. Germination takes 21-60 days approx. Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle to 8cm pots and grow on under glass for their 1st winter. acclimatise and plant out the following spring.

Growing

Prefers any fertile, humus-rich soil in full sun. Young trees will require protection from frost. The plant can be coppiced or stooled. To do this cut all foliage down to ground level in March, reduce the resultant suckers to a single shoot. This allows the stem to grow to 3M in one season and offers wonderful foliage. Otherwise can be grown as a tree.

Cultivation

For tree growth, pruning group 1. No routine pruning necessary. Prune if needed in late winter or early spring. After pruning mulch and feed. For coppicing or stooling use pruning group 7. You need to wait until the plant is established, 2-3 years before you start hard pruning. Cut back to 5-8cm from ground level in March, just before the leaves appear on the stems.