FULL GUIDE ON HOW TO GROW MICHELIA CHAMPACA FROM SEEDS

Michelia Champaca, also named Champak and Joy Perfume, is a stunning flowering plant. You can grow one or two white and golden flowering trees to make your garden and house fragrant and beautiful. You can use their flowers for different purposes. Let’s learn how to grow Michelia Champaca trees from seeds here.

I. What Is The Best Champaca Varieties To Grow At Home?

Champaca is an evergreen tree growing widely in zones 9 - 11. It is popular in Asia and tropical zones. For example, you often see Michelia Champaca in the warmer states of the US, such as Texas, Florida, New Mexico, Southern California, and Arizona. 

Here are some popular varieties of this flowering tree for home gardens. 

• Magnolia champak produces golden Champa flowers. 
• Alba champak produces white Champaca flowers.
• Joy Perfume Tree produces a strong and fruity aroma from yellow-orange flowers.
• Pink Magnolia Champa has pinkish-orange flowers with a pleasant aroma.
• Lutea Champa has pale yellow flowers with a sweet fragrance. 

You can grow some Joy Perfume trees in your garden for decoration, aroma, and flower extracts. The bloom extract of this plant packs tons of health benefits for your family. 

II. How To Grow Michelia Champaca From Seeds?

Champak, also known as Joy Perfume, can grow from seeds. Let’s see how to grow Michelia Champaca from the plant seeds below. 

2.1. How to start seeds? 

You had better germinate Magnolia Champaca seeds in spring or early summer (April - June) when the weather is warm and humid. It’s the best weather condition to start seeds outside. Then, follow these steps to germinate Champak seeds at home. 

1. Pick fully ripened fruits and leave them in a warm and dry place. When the hard shell opens, pick the seeds.
2. Choose healthy and firm champak seeds and wash them thoroughly to remove the residual content of the fruit pulp.
3. Dry these seeds naturally in a clean and warm place.
4. Soak the seed in lukewarm water for 24 - 48 hours to soften the outer shell. It allows the germ to sprout out with ease. 
5. The seed must swell after soaking. If its size does not increase after 24 hours, you have to remove the upper shell part to let water penetrate the endosperm. 

You should maintain the room temperature at 25-30°C and high humidity of 70-80% to germinate Champa seeds indoors. 

2.2. How to sow Michelia Champaca seeds?

This plant prefers acidic soil to germinate and grow up. Sowing the seed in a planting pot before moving the young tree to your garden is a good idea. Let’s see the correct sowing process below. 

1. Mix a balanced mixture of garden soil, compost, and sand. 
2. Fill the pot with the soil mix and level the surface.
3. Create a hole to put the plant seed inside.
4. Cover the plant seed with the soil mix. Gently press the soil.
5. Water it to moisturize the soil. Avoid overwatering.
6. Keep the soil warm and moist consistently. 
7. When the seedling emerges, take it out for sunlight. Keep watering it. 

Champaca seeds may need a few weeks or months to sprout. Be patient and wait until the root systems are long and mature. Let’s learn how to transplant them to the ground next. 

2.3. How to transplant Michelia Champaca seedlings?

Young plants are typically ready for transplantation after 6-8 months or when they are about 1-2 feet tall. It would be better to transplant Champa seedlings in a warm and humid season with an average temperature above 20°C. Follow these steps to move the young plant to your garden.

1. Choose a good position with well-draining soil and plenty of sunlight.
2. Dig a hole sizing twice as wide as the pot size and as deep as the pot depth. 
3. Carefully remove the root ball from the planting pot and place it in the hole. Avoid damaging the root, especially the tap root of the tree. 
4. Fill the hole with soil and lightly tamp it down. 
5. Water the young plant thoroughly.

The young Champaca tree is pretty weak after moving to the ground. Therefore, it needs a few weeks to acclimate and adapt to the new soil. You ought to transplant the young tree in the morning or late afternoon when the temperature is not high. 

III. How to take care of Michelia Champaca trees?

After the champak establishes itself in the new living environment, it needs less care. But you should monitor the growth of the plant. Here are some tips for taking care of this plant.

3.1. Water & Sunlight

Magnolia Champaca trees need regular watering, especially in the hot and dry seasons. Keep hydrating the tree to let it develop well. Water the tree deeply once or twice a week, depending on the weather conditions.

In addition, Michelia Champaca trees need 6 hours of direct sunlight per day and partial shade to grow and bloom healthily. 

3.2. Fertilizer & Mulching

Firstly, turn over the compact soil and mix it with some sand and compost to improve drainage. You should fertilize the soil with organic matter in early spring and again in mid-summer for healthy growth and blooming.

In addition, gardeners had better apply a layer of organic mulch around the tree base to retain moisture. It also provides nutrients to the tree and prevents weeds from growing.

3.3. Pruning & Inspection

Golden and white Champaca are evergreen trees, so you had better cut some branches in late winter or early spring to maintain its health and appearance. Moreover, pruning helps remove infections, such as leaf spot and powdery mildew. 

This plant is susceptible to scales, aphids, and some other pests. Inspect your trees regularly and treat any issues promptly with an appropriate remedy, such as pesticide or fungicide. Then, adjust routines and disease treatments if needed to ensure the tree’s health and viability.

IV. Conclusion

This article showed you how to grow Michelia Champaca trees from seeds and take care of them. Champa seeds and seedlings need more care to germinate and grow well. Provide mature with proper soil, organic fertilizer, water, sunlight, and care according to the particular condition. Visit The Rike to find high-quality Champa nuts and more seasonal seeds for your garden.