Frankincense, Indian (Boswellia serrata), packet of 5 seeds

(1 customer review)

$9.95

All Boswellia seed is from the new crop.

Family:  Myrrh (Burseraceae)

Hardy to Zones 10 to 12, otherwise grown as a potted tree and kept indoors for the winter.  Short periods of dry cold down to 20 degrees F may be tolerated, but for all practical purposes protect from frost.

(Indian Frankincense) Deciduous, tuberous tree to 45 feet tall flowering in showy sprays of yellow and red. Native to India, North Africa and the Middle East.  Trees are self-fertile and flowering starts around year 8.  Source of burnable oleo-gum-resin, which exudes from any wound and dries in amber tears.  Rare in cultivation.   Tree prefers full sun and a dry, well-drained soil of pH 5.5 to 6.5.  Will withstand shallow, poor soils but grows larger in richer, deeper soils.  Fire resistant.  Resprouts readily after pruning or coppicing.  Traditional use of oleo-gum-resin and bark dates back over 2,000 years (Ayurveda): Hypoglycemic, sedative and analgesic.  Used for treating diabetes, hysteria,  lung and liver disease, also dysentery.  Used externally in treatment of ulcerations and skin diseases.  Also used as a spiritual offering as a burnable incense that clarifies the air and bolsters devotion.  Cultivation:  Standard culture for dryland tree species–soak seed in water overnight, use a fast-draining mix, plant the seed 1/4 inch deep, tamp securely and keep warm, in the light and evenly moist until germination.  Allow to grow without disturbance until the stem becomes quite woody, then up-pot, always using a fast-draining mix and providing plenty of warmth and bright light.  Water regularly when the tree is in leaf and water infrequently or not at all when the tree is dormant.  Even young seedlings produce a tuber.  Aerial parts may senesce back down to the tuber during dormancy of years 1 to 3.  Aerial parts are produced during the summer growth phase.  Therefore do not discard young potted plants that lose their aerial portion, as the perennial part of the plant at this stage is the tuber.  When potting up,  use Cactus mix. Start with a 4-inch pot, then go up to a gallon and finish in 3-gallon pots.  Outdoors (dry tropics), space 30 feet apart.

Packet of 5 seeds, open-pollinated, untreated, NO GMO’s

In stock

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  1. Nicholas George

    Good Experience

    Nicholas George (verified owner)

    Tricky to germinate and raise. These are not for the inattentive. If your tree growing skills are not sharp,
    it will suffer. (I’ve sadly lost two) Highly agree that cactus mix should be used, if not required as it does not tolerate over watering and should only be watered about 30mL every couple days. If not, use small pots to aid in quicker evaporation. Checking ph with every watering and keeping it between 5.5 and 6.5 is essential for germination and growth. Would not really recommend fertilizing until maybe 3-5 years old. Tolerates heat well, almost as hardy as cactai. Basically, listen to everything the label tells you, Richo knows what he’s talking about 🙏

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