🌳 How to Grow Teak Seeds (Tectona grandis)

Also known as:

• Hindi: सागवान

• Tamil: தேக்கு

• Telugu: తేఖు చెట్టు

• Malayalam: തേക്കു

• Kannada: ತೇಗಿದ ಮರ

• English: Teak Tree

1. 🌱 Choose the Right Season

• Best time to sow: Late spring to early monsoon (April–July)

• Ideal germination temperature: 25°C to 35°C

• Prefers a warm, tropical to subtropical climate

2. 🌾 Seed Pre-treatment

• Teak seeds have a hard outer coat — scarification or soaking is essential

• Soak seeds in cold water for 24 hours, then sun-dry for 2–3 days

• Repeat soaking-drying cycle for 10–15 days for improved germination

• Optional: crack seed coat slightly to accelerate sprouting (advanced method)

3. 🪴 Prepare the Growing Medium

• Use well-drained, sandy loam or loam soil

• Mix of: garden soil + river sand + compost (2:1:1)

• pH level: Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0–7.0)

• Avoid heavy clay or waterlogged soil

4. 🌿 Sowing the Seeds

• Sow seeds 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep

• In nursery beds: sow in rows, 2–3 inches apart

• In polybags or pots: sow 1 seed per container

• Cover with light soil, keep moist

• Mist to avoid seed displacement

5. 💧 Watering

• Keep the soil evenly moist during germination

• Avoid overwatering — teak seeds are prone to rot

• Water lightly every 1–2 days

6. 🌞 Germination

• Germination time: 15–40 days (can take up to 60 days)

• Maintain warmth and consistent moisture

• Once germinated, place in filtered sunlight

7. 🌤️ Sunlight & Temperature

• Seedlings need 6–8 hours of sunlight after sprouting

• Grows best in hot, sunny climates (25°C–45°C)

• Protect young seedlings from strong wind and heavy rain

8. 🌱 Transplanting

• Transplant when seedlings are 12–18 inches tall (usually after 3–4 months)

• For ground planting, leave 8–10 feet spacing between plants

• Ideal planting time: start of monsoon for natural irrigation support

9. 🌿 Fertilization

• Mix compost or aged cow dung before planting

• Top-dress annually with compost or organic manure

• Optional: apply low-nitrogen, balanced NPK if needed for faster growth

10. 🛡️ Pest & Disease Care

• Common issues: termites, beetles, fungal leaf spot

• Apply neem oil spray or wood ash to deter pests

• Use well-drained soil to prevent root rot

• Prune infected leaves and maintain air flow

11. 🌳 Growth & Maintenance

• Teak grows slowly at first, but vigorously after 1–2 years

• Can reach 30–40 meters height over 20–30 years

• Prune lower branches for straight growth

• Grows well in plantations or agroforestry systems

🌟 Benefits of Teak (Tectona grandis)

• World-renowned timber tree — durable, termite-resistant wood

• Used in furniture, boats, flooring, and carvings

• Long-term economic investment for reforestation and timber farming

• Deep roots improve soil structure and prevent erosion

• Teak plantations help sequester carbon and restore degraded land