Question
Do you know if Liquid Amber fruit (seed pods) with the seeds inside needs to be green and still on the tree or already fallen off of the tree and brown, for propagation?  I ask because I find lots of brown prickly fruit but it does not appear that there are any seeds inside as opposed to the green fruit (seed pods) that do have what look like seeds. I do occasionally see green pods that have fallen on the ground but they are much harder to find than the ones still on the tree.

Also, I cut a small branch from a large tree near my house and it has several places on it that look like beds where new limbs will probably come out. Can these be cut in any way to propagate from them?

Thank you,
Ron Katz


Answer
Hi Ron,
Thanx for your question.  The pods must be ripe and brown and will have fallen off the trees.  Green pods will not contain mature seeds and therefore not be viable.

The seeds of the liquidamber are located inside the prickly fruit. You can expect from as little as 5 to as many as 50-60 seeds in each prickly ball.  You need to soak in water, let stand in water for 12 hours and then stratify or place in a cold environment for 30 days.  This is best done by placing the seeds in a damp paper towel and placing inside a plastic baggie and placing this in the refrigerator, sealed. Sow seed 1/16 inch deep, tamp the soil, keep moist, mulch the seed bed if growing outdoors.

Liquid amber seeds are tiny.  See pic below.

http://www.hort.uconn.edu/plants/l/liqsty/liqsty00.jpg

As with most cuttings, these should be taken from softer, green wood in early spring before the tree buds out.  Make the cuttings at the leaf axil points (where a bud indicates a leaf may form...).  Cuttings should average about 6 inches long with no leaves or fruit attached.  Dip the cuttings in a rooting hormone and place about 1 inch deep in warm, moist potting soil.  Seal the pot in clear plastic and keep warm and humid.  Rooting will take some time but should begin in 8 weeks or so.  When new leaves start sprouting, carefully check the root system by digging around the cutting gently.  Plant outdoors after the last frost and protect from the sun and wind for the first 10 days.  After that, the plant requires full sun.  I hope this helps.
Tom