Santalum album, Indian sandalwood, is a fragrant evergreen tree native to South Asia prized for aromatic heartwood used in perfumery and traditional medicine. Seeds exhibit physiological dormancy requiring pre-treatment for successful germination.
Before sowing
Seeds have dormancy that must be broken; pre-soak in bleach solution 1:9 or gibberellic acid treatments effective
Sowing
What to expect
Tips
Santalum album is a hemiparasitic plant requiring host plants for optimal seedling growth after germination. Seeds lack testa and should be fresh (less than 1 year old). Light significantly improves germination rates; full light with GA3 treatment yields highest percentages. Germination is highly variable and erratic, taking weeks to months. Fungicide treatment before sowing recommended. Tamp soil and mulch seedbed.
Sources: ICFRE Sandalwood Information System, Sheffield Seed Company, Research papers on S. album propagation
