Sowing & Growing

To encourage the germination process and enhance success rates, scald the seeds by pouring boiling water over them. Allow the seeds to soak in a small quantity of hot water (less than 4 ounces) until the water returns to room temperature. The outer seed coat should soften, and a layer will start to slough off. This may not be immediately apparent and may require several repetitions. Repeat the process until a sublayer of the seed is exposed or can be easily revealed by removing the seed coat with your fingers. The use of an electric tea kettle can significantly accelerate the scalding process, but caution is needed to avoid scalding seeds with no seed coat or those easily removable, as this can effectively cook and sterilize the seed.

After removing the seed coats, let the seeds soak in a final treatment of room temperature water for a few hours. Growth hormones, Superthrive, or other seed treatments can be added during this final soak. For the planting media, a pure coco fiber mix is recommended for Tamarind seeds. Simply add warm water, mix until the coco fiber is saturated, and squeeze out excess water to achieve a slightly fluffy texture. Some coco fiber may require rinsing to eliminate salts; refer to the packaging for instructions.

For sowing, select a deep, clear container (such as those used for takeout soups) and fill it at least 3 1/2 inches deep with the prepared coco fibre. The clear pots facilitate easy monitoring of moisture levels and indicate when to add water or enhance ventilation. Gently create one or two holes per pot and place a seed on its side in each hole, leaving a minimum of one inch between seeds to prevent the spread of moulds responsible for seed rot. Cover the seeds with 1/4 inch of coco coir fibre, mist the pots from above, and cover with the lid slightly cracked.