An ancient tree for people today
....from Blossom Nursery
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We
do not have any Ginkgo seed available at this time,
this page is online for informational purposes only.
See the bottom of this page for information
about the Ginkgo Biloba Tree
HORTICULTURAL: Ginkgo
trees are easily grown from seed! Fresh Ginkgo seed germinates poorly, so I
process them to increase the germination rate by storing them as whole fruit
during a warm stratification period. This allows the embryo to mature. I then
clean and surface~dry the seed, and complete their stratification requirement
in the refrigerator. The USDA zone of northernmost growth for Ginkgo is 5. They
grow on a wide range of soils, preferring pH 6.0 ~ 6.5. The tree usually stands
60 to 80 feet (18 to 24 meters) tall at maturity, but they are also traditionally
esteemed as bonsai trees. Ginkgo trees are resistant to insects, disease, and
air pollution, and are highly adaptable and tolerant of other adverse conditions.
Ginkgo seed may be grown in containers for transplanting, or if sown outdoors
in Fall or Winter, should germinate well in the Spring. A Ginkgo tree is either
female or male, and blooms when about 20 years old.
CULINARY:
Ginkgo seeds, also known as Ginkgo nuts are considered a delicacy in China and
other Asian countries. They must be roasted or boiled before eating the nut-like
meat inside the seeds. Ginkgo nuts are frequently used in Oriental sweet and
savory dishes, including soup and porridge. Roasted ginkgo nuts are often served
as an accompaniment to poultry, as a digestive aid at formal banquets and at
Chinese weddings, as they are thought to bring good luck. They are sold by street
vendors in Chinese cities, and are a favorite of children. The Chinese name
for the seed translates as "silver almond". Ginkgo
seed food products may be purchased in Oriental department stores. See
warning below.
HERBAL:
Ginkgo seeds contain several unique organic compounds, including bilobol, ginkgol,
ginnol, and ginkgolic acid. In eastern Asia, the ginkgo seed has been used in
traditional medicine for treating a wide variety of ailments, including asthma,
coughs, pulmonary tuberculosis, senility and bladder irritability. Its traditional
herbal actions include antimicrobial,
anti~inflammatory and vasodilatory. The Ginkgo~based supplements
which are being used against Alzheimer's, are made by extracting specific beneficial
components of the Ginkgo leaf, and discarding the toxic components. We do not
recommend using Ginkgo leaf tea, because of the potential toxicity.
SELECT SEED: We
ship Ginkgo seed of the highest quality. We cull out cracked seed and "floaters"
which are non~viable . They have been hand~cleaned and surface~dried. Recommended
when appearance counts and for culinary purposes.
REGULAR SEED: Processed
the same as SELECT SEED, except not selected for size and appearance. Many will
have bits of dried pulp adhering. Good seed for growing trees. Germination rate
will be high.
SEED IN THE FRUIT: These
seed are just as we gathered them from under the tree. They have been stored
in a manner which simulates natural conditions and enhances maturation of the
dormant embryo. Plant them just like they are. The pulp has a pungent aroma,
and is irritating to some people's skin, so wear rubber gloves while handling.
PRICES AND TERMS
We
do not have any Ginkgo seed available at this time,
Mail
your order to:
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Information about the Ginkgo Biloba Tree: |
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Ginkgoes are primitive gymnosperms. A tree is either female or male, carrying either ovules or pollen on the same short stalks as the leaves. The ovules mature into round seeds covered by yellow to orange flesh. The seeds are considered a delicacy in China and other Asian countries. They must be roasted or boiled before eating, and are considered to be a beneficial tonic. The Chinese name for the seed translates as "silver almond". The Ginkgo Biloba tree may have served as food for dinosaurs during the Mesozoic Era over 200 million years ago. For this reason it is referred to as "the living fossil". It is the oldest surviving species of tree on earth. For many centuries, the ginkgo has been cultivated as a sacred tree in Chinese and Japanese Buddhist temple gardens. Some ginkgoes are believed to be over 1,000 years old. The ginkgo is now planted throughout much of the United States as an ornamental tree. Ginkgo leaves are fan~shaped and grow in bunches at the end of short stalks. The tree usually stands 60 to 80 feet (18 to 24 meters) tall at maturity. The USDA zone of northernmost growth for Ginkgo is 5. They grow on a wide range of soils, preferring pH 6.0 ~ 6.5. They are highly adaptable and tolerant. They are traditionally esteemed as bonsai trees. Because ginkgo is highly resistant to insects, disease, and air pollution, it is often planted along streets in cities. In fact, ginkgo trees are so hardy that a solitary ginkgo was the only tree to survive the atomic blast in Hiroshima, sprouting back months later from a charred trunk! Ginkgo's medicinal use can be traced back to ancient China, where the population used the dried herb for poor circulation, memory loss, and general mental deterioration. The world's first great herbalist, the Chinese emperor Shen Nung, called ginkgo "good for the heart and lungs." A standardized leaf extract of Ginkgo is one of the most widely used herbal preparations in the world today. It has been shown clinically to be effective in improving blood circulation to the peripheral organs, including the brain and for this reason is especially valued to improve mental function in the elderly, and for tinnitus.
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