Giant baobab (Adansonia grandidieri)

Product description

The largest baobab species in the world faces a significant threat from habitat loss due to agricultural expansion, putting it at risk of extinction. Its slow growth makes recovery from deforestation a lengthy process. The trees can reach heights of up to 30 meters, 3-5 meters in diameter and live for over 800 years. Their massive trunks are specially adapted to store large amounts of water, and by shedding their leaves, they can survive the sometimes years long drought period in their natural habitat. So, when the tree loses all its leaves, it’s not necessarily dead!

Traditionally, the fruit has multiple uses: the pulp can be eaten raw, while the seeds are processed into cooking oil. Despite the immense size of mature trees, Adansonia grandidieri can be grown indoors in a pot. With regular pruning, it can be kept small or even cultivated as a bonsai—a rewarding but challenging endeavor.

Sowing description: Scarify the seeds in one place with sandpaper and soak them for 24 hours in lukewarm water. Sow in sowing mix and germinate at 20-25 degrees Celsius. Keep the soil continuously moistened. Germination can occur after a couple of weeks, but it can also take longer. So long as the seeds are solid, they can potentially germinate.