Thespesia Populnea, Portia Tree Seeds

Portia Tree (Thespesia populnea) is a warm-climate evergreen tree with a rounded crown, glossy heart-shaped leaves, yellow hibiscus-like flowers, and woody seed capsules.

Also known as: Indian tulip tree, Pacific rosewood, Seaside mahoe, Milo, Paras pipal, Bhendi tree, Poovarasu, Gangaravi and Hibiscus populneus.

For cultivation, choose full sun in tropical or subtropical conditions, including gardens where heat, wind, or coastal exposure can be managed. Use a sandy or loamy, freely draining medium kept evenly moist during early establishment. Freshly sown containers should have drainage and good air movement. Natural seed lots vary, so emergence speed and the number of seedlings depend on pretreatment, temperature, moisture, and the grower's conditions.

Seed starting: Soak the seeds in warm water for about 24 hours. Sow 1–2 cm deep, maintain 24–30°C, and keep the medium moist but not saturated. Label the container with the sowing date, keep it out of standing water, and check moisture regularly. Do not discard a sound pot simply because individual seeds emerge at different times.

After emergence, Place seedlings in bright light after emergence, improve airflow, and pot on once several true leaves are present. Water regularly during early growth and protect young plants from cold.