Frankincense is notorious for being difficult to grow. Only in 10% of cases, the frankincense seeds germinate. Most of the time, people end up buying a live plant as they are easier to manage. It is even more difficult to start frankincense with seeds outdoors, so it is preferred to start with the project indoors.
Just as the spring begins, frankincense seeds are soaked overnight in 9 parts of water and 1 part hydrogen peroxide to wipe out fungi and anchorage germination. Drain the seeds then sow them in a potting mix composed of 1 part seed-starting mix and 1 part sand. Lightly mask them with sand and cover the pot with plastic to preserve humidity and moisture. Place the pot on the germination mat to maintain the temperature between 90 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. This way, the seeds are likely to germinate within a week or so.
As the seeds sprout, the plastic wrap is withdrawn and the pot is placed in a sunny spot or under a grow light. Transplant them as the seedlings develop 2 leaves in individual pots containing 1 part bonsai potting soil and 1 part miniature marble chips. During spring and summer, water the plant twice a week and only once a week during winters.
After sprouting, the seedlings establish and grow at a moderate pace. During winters, the plant enters its flowering phase that continues till April. These flowers are largely visited by different pollinators, such as butterflies, little flies, ants, wasps, and bees. The flowers then develop into small fruits and the petals fall off.
The fruits begin to ripe in March. These fruits contain seeds that are collected and saved domestically to perpetuate their life cycle.