Laburnum anagyroides, commonly known as the Golden Chain Tree or Common Laburnum, is a small deciduous tree or large shrub native to the mountains of Central and Southern Europe. It is prized for its spectacular late spring display of pendulous racemes of bright yellow, fragrant flowers. The species has a hard, water-impermeable seed coat requiring pretreatment for successful germination.
Before sowing
Laburnum seeds have a very hard, water-impermeable seed coat with minimal dormancy. Without pretreatment, only 10% or fewer seeds will germinate. Combined mechanical and water treatments are usually necessary for optimal results.
Sowing
What to expect
Tips
Remove all seeds that swell to three times their original size after hot water treatment and sow them immediately; do not subject them to further pretreatment as they may be damaged. Seeds that remain small can be dried and treated again. Although germination rates are 80-86% with proper scarification, sow all seeds as untreated seeds may germinate much later, sometimes years later—seeds can remain viable for 30 years. Maintain moderate temperatures during germination (15-20°C is ideal; avoid excessive heat). Use well-drained soil to prevent root rot. If boiling water treatment fails, use sulfuric acid treatment as a reliable alternative.
Sources: TreeSeedOnline.com, PlantWorldSeeds.com, IncredibleSeeds.ca, UF/IFAS, SheffieldsSeeds.com, Grokipedia, Wikipedia, Missouri Botanical Garden, Forest Research UK
