Growing Copal

 Copal is a resin that is ritually used for incense in Mesoamerica. "Copal" includes resins from different tree species, such as Bursera bipinnata. Bursera bipinnata is known in Mesoamerica as Copal Santo, Copal Amargo, Copal Blanco, Copal Chino, etc., among others.

"Copal de Bursera bipinnata. Una resina mesoamericana de uso ritual". Autor: Aurora Montúfar López.

The plants grown here are a Bursera bipinnata x Bursera hindsiana hybrids. The germination is not difficult in itself, as long as one meets the appropriate germination conditions and has seeds that are in order. Especially heat seems to be important for germination. According to information, the temperature should be above 26/27°C. Germination can take place within a few days to a few weeks. Once the seeds have germinated, they need a strong enough light source. It is also important to keep the seeds moist at all times, if they dry out it can permanently interrupt the germination process. According to information, you should not fertilize the plantlets before they have developed a good root system.

Bursera bipinnata seeds, before the seeds are placed in water jar for pre-swelling, the orange shell is removed so that the seeds can better soak with water.

Seeds are put in a cup with water to pre-swell for 24h hours.

Seeds were placed between 2 layers of damp kitchen paper, and placed in a warm place. If you do not have a room temperature of 30 ° C in the summer, a heating mat, heated greenhouse or similar is necessary, because the seeds like it very warm for germination. The first seeds germinated after 2 days, after they were removed from the water jar and put between damp layers of kitchen paper.

A well-draining substrate is important for Bursera bipinnata. A few of the germinated seeds were put into a pot with a substrate mixture containing one third potting soil, one third cocohum and one third Fibotherm.

A few other of the germinated seeds were test planted in an acadama, lava and pumice mix, and covered with perlite. It turns out in retrospect that this mixture was not well suited for Bursera bipinnata. The seedlings find poor support in this substrate mixture and seem to grow more slowly.

2 days after potting the seeds and after a total of 4 days after presoaking, the first seedling is already struggling through the soil.

Already 4 hours after breakthrough through the substrate, further progress is visible.

The seedlings a day later, the plantlets are 5 days old since germination, and stand in a sunny place.

About 5 days later, the first true pair of leaves.

The plantlets about 5 weeks later.

Tested this fertilizer, with about half the specified dose. The plantlets seem to tolerate it well.