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MICHELIA CHAMPACA Joy Perfume Tree This tree is popular in Asia, but quite new to the British market. Michelia is related to Magnolia, but the flowers are not as big and pretty. They are just as heavily scented though. 1. Allow the fruit from the parent tree to completely ripen before harvesting its seeds. Pick the unblemished fruit from the tree. Place the fruit in a warm, dry location until it splits open, revealing the seeds. 2 Remove the seeds from the fruit. Wash the seeds to remove all residue from the fruit. Put the seeds in a warm place to dry. 3 Sand the seeds lightly with sandpaper or nick the side of each seed with a sharp knife. Place the seeds in a bowl and cover with hot water. Allow the seeds to soak overnight, until the seeds swell and double in size. If the seeds don't swell, remove from the water and nick the hard outer shell again. Return the seeds to the bowl and add more hot water. 4 Remove the seeds from the water and treat with a fungicide according to the manufacturer's directions. The champaca is prone to fungal infections, which will kill the young seedlings. 5 Place 4-inch pots on a tray. Fill the bottom third of each pot with a high-quality acidic potting soil suitable for azaleas or rhododendrons. Add sterile seed-starting mix to the top two thirds of the pot. Water thoroughly to ensure that the soil is moist throughout the pot. 6 Insert one seed into each pot and barely cover with seed-starting mix. Cover the pots with plastic wrap and place in a warm location. 7 Check the soil every two to three days to ensure that it is still moist. Mist with a spray bottle if the soil begins to dry out, then replace the plastic wrap to maintain a consistent moisture level. 8 Maintain a constant temperature of 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit until the seeds germinate, between one and five weeks. Champaca has a relatively low germination rate, between 40 and 50 percent.
