Sow fresh West Indian mahogany seed shallow in warm mix that drains, and do not store it for months. The winged seeds lose their ability to sprout in ordinary room storage.
Sow fresh winged seed shallow, and do not wait months
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Seed | Fresh seed from a ripe brown capsule, sown within a few weeks | Do not store seed for months at room temperature and expect a full stand |
| Sow | Press the seed on its edge, half exposed, or cover it with about 1 cm of loose mix | Do not bury it several inches deep, because the sprout may not reach the surface |
| Mix | Warm sandy mix that stays moist and drains | A soggy bowl, or a dry crust that never wets the seed |
| Pot | Sow straight into a deep nursery pot so the taproot stays straight | Pricking out of a tray in a way that bends the taproot into a J |
The woody capsules of West Indian mahogany split on the tree in winter and drop winged seed. [1] Clip a brown capsule before it empties, dry it until it opens, and sow soon. No soak is required. Seedlings usually show in about 12 to 18 days when the mix stays warm and moist. [2] Home multiply is seed. Site and water for the grown tree live on How to Grow West Indian Mahogany.
- Collect a brown capsule, or pick up fresh seed under the tree. Let the capsule finish opening in a dry tray.
- Break off the papery wing if it will not fit the pot. The wing is not required for sprouting.
- Sow in moist sandy mix. Set the seed on its edge with half of it showing, or cover it about 1 cm deep. [3]
- Keep the mix warm and barely moist. Move the seedling into more sun after the first true leaves, and grow it on for a season before you plant it out on Planting West Indian Mahogany.
Do I need to chill the seed?
No. Sow it fresh and warm. A long cold period is not the method.
Cuttings are a forestry job — sow seed instead
West Indian mahogany is grown from seed in the landscape. Big-leaf mahogany can be rooted from cuttings in a humid nursery tunnel, but that is not the home method for this species. If you want a tree, sow fresh seed. [4]
- Do not wait for a cutting to root in a glass of water. That is not how this tree is multiplied at home.
- Sow the winged seed while it is still fresh. That is the method that fills a nursery pot.
- If a seedling taproot is bent, start another seed in a deeper pot rather than forcing the J-root into the ground.
Can I root a branch in water?
Not as a home method. Sow fresh seed in warm mix that drains.
If nothing sprouts, the seed sat too long or sat too wet. Sow a fresh capsule soon, keep the mix moist and warm, and do not bury the seed deep.
FAQ
Can I collect my own seed?
Yes, from a ripe brown capsule on or under the tree. Sow it soon, because stored seed fades.
How long until I can plant it out?
Grow the seedling on until it has a woody base and you can water it in the ground. A year in a nursery pot is a common wait.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions -
https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/trees/mahogany/ - [2] Forest Service Woody Plant Seed Manual -
https://www.fs.usda.gov/nsl/Wpsm/Swietenia.pdf - [3] UF/IFAS Extension -
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ST608 - [4] Forest Service International Institute of Tropical Forestry -
https://research.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/30370
This note is part of Swietenia Guides.
More notes on making another plant live in Propagating Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors