If you’re looking to grow your own Catalpa—better known as the Northern Catalpa or Trumpet Tree—you’ve got a few options. While there are several ways to get the job done, growing them from seed is by far the most popular and rewarding method. Let’s dive into how you can start your very own Trumpet Tree from scratch!
Ways to Propagate Your Trumpet Tree
Growing from seed is the go-to method for most gardeners because it’s reliable and pretty straightforward. However, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can also try:
- Propagating via cuttings
- Layering
- Grafting
Growing Trumpet Trees from Seed
To get started, you’ll need some seeds. You can pick these up at your local garden center, or if you already have access to a tree, you can harvest them yourself! The seeds live inside those long, bean-like seed pods that develop after the flowers have been pollinated. You’ll know they’re ready when the pods turn brown and start to crack open.
Don’t Forget the Chill Factor (Stratification)
Here’s a pro tip: Catalpa seeds have a built-in “sleep mode” (germination inhibition) that needs to be broken by a cold spell. This is called stratification. The easiest way to handle this is to just leave the pods on the tree throughout the winter—nature will take care of the chilling for you! If you’ve already harvested them early, no worries; just pop them in the refrigerator for a few weeks to simulate winter.
Step-by-Step Sowing Guide
Once your seeds have had their “winter nap,” here’s how to get them growing:
- Soak the seeds in lukewarm water overnight. This softens them up and speeds up germination.
- Plant the seeds in a pot or tray filled with a high-quality seed-starting mix.
- Place your container in a warm, bright spot—a sunny windowsill is perfect.
- Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. To keep the humidity high, you can stretch some plastic wrap over the pot (just remember to poke a few holes or lift it daily for some fresh air).
- A mini indoor greenhouse works great for this, too!
- You should see little sprouts popping up within a few days to a few weeks.
- Once the seedlings have grown a bit, developed a few sets of leaves, and established a sturdy root system, you can move them into their own individual pots.
- Keep your young Trumpet Trees in pots for the first few years and bring them indoors for the winter. They aren’t fully cold hardy until they’ve had a few years to toughen up!
