We have several varieties of Paulownia under cultivation, adapted for use as ornamentals or in timber production. Beginning with a stock of P. tomentosa and P. elongata, The Farm undertook a breeding program, selecting trees based on such characteristics as branching pattern, canopy shape, leaf size, drought tolerance and rate of growth. We eventually selected two new varieties for in vitro multiplication, along with the mother cultivars. One of the new varieties, PS, is well adapted for timber production and is currently under production on our plantations.

The establishment of Paulownia in vitro proved challenging. The source of the explant material appears to be critical; we have only been successful with primary and axillary shoot meristems. Furthermore, the composition of the medium was found to be cultivar-specific; we also found that salt concentrations had to be varied according to the stage of growth. The formation of a thorough root system was particularly difficult to attain; it was finally accomplished on a Murashige-Skoog medium with a decreased concentration of macro-elements, an increased concentration of the carbon source and a high concentration of auxins.

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