FREE: PRIDE OF BARBADOS ( Caesalpinia pulcherrima ) : 50 seeds

Will this grow in zones 3-4?

The seed needs light to germinate - - when you sow the seed into your prepared growing medium, sow it so that 1/3 of the seed remains exposed. Sowing Nick Down so that the moisture you gave during the 12-20 hour soak will be evaporated more slowly. It also lets the immature root dig into the growing medium without getting dried out or making it take a U-turn to find the soil. I have tested the notion of sowing nick up and found the germination rate is less, but that some seeds will survive the struggle to get a root out, over and down. So much for experimentation . . . IMHO, NICK DOWN is best. However, as with everything, YMMV. ;--)

Keep the sown seeds where they are in a lot of light and very lightly moisted - - USE A MIST -- do not give them a soaking until after the seedling has stood up and has shucked off the seed hull. Do not "help" the seed with that hull -- you are more likely to uproot it than to assist it. Nature doesn't pull it off, nor should you.

Once the seeds have tossed off the hull you just need to keep their soil moist - - not soaking wet, just moist.

Good luck !! ~ £az£o
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You want to only just nick through that outer coating. Be respectful of the living plant inside the seed by not going nuts with the knife. The embryo will be very light in colour, not quite white though.

Some folks use coarse sandpaper or emery boards to rub off enough of the outer coat to expose the embryo inside. Again, take it easy with the rubbing.

Now, put the seeds into lukewarm water for 12 - 20 hours ... however long it takes to make the outer coat of the seed feel soft when GENTLY pressed between thumb and forefinger. Here we are helping the embryo get ready for the Great Escape by making the outer coat easier for it to shrug off after it puts down a root and begins playing in your dirt later on.

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And another thing about POBs - - you need to let them have light to germinate.

Here's my method:

Prep the soil you are using for planting - - the immediate area of the garden, or the seed-starter medium if you start in pots . . . Lightly dust the top of the media with ground cinnamon and mix it into the media. Cinnamon is a natural, organic anti-fungal agent that is great against most causes of damp-off, the primary reason seeds fail to germinate. Let the media sit awhile as you prep the seeds.

Nick the outer coating with the tip of a small but sharp knife -- I usually do this opposite the pointy part of the seed where it was attached to the seed pod while developing. It is just my own routine. I have tested nicking other parts, including the pointy part and it makes no difference at all.

Wow! That's a lot of info.!!! Lol! I will DEFINATELY have to write all that down if & when I win one of your auctions! Thanx for your help! =•)

This is SO beautiful, I've never seen one that I can recall. Watching!