The seeds are sown directly into 3 inch x 7 inch (7.5 cm x 18 cm) polypots at the rate of two seeds per pot. A mulch of grass or similar substance is used to cover the soil in the pot immediately after the seed is sown; as soon as most of the seeds have geminated it is removed. If it is thought that germination rates may be poor, the seed can be pre-germinated. Scarified seed is sown very densely on a well-prepared seed bed or tray, pressed down with a flat piece of wood, covered lightly with sand, pressed down again, and covered with a mulch. As the seeds germinate and produce roots 5-10 mm long, they are removed daily and re-sown into polypots with the rootlet downwards, at such a depth that the seed coat is just covered in soil.
In the Terai the seed should be sown in the first two weeks of April, elsewhere in the last two weeks in March, to produce plantable seedlings 20-30 cm tall by mid-July. In the Terai 12-14 weeks in the nursery is needed, and elsewhere 14-16 weeks. If planting earlier than mid-July is envisaged the sowing dates should be adjusted accordingly. If, shortly after germination is complete, there are two seedlings in a pot one of these should be removed and either pricked out into empty pots or thrown away. Four to five weeks after sowing the pots should be spaced so that there is a 5-10 cm gap between the rows of pots, and at the same time roots should be pruned. This root pruning must be continued every 10-14 days, as acacias develop very vigorous taproots. If root pruning is delayed wilting and dying back of the seedlings is likely to occur. Seedlings which have been kept too long in the nursery should be thrown away, as the strong taproot development will prevent successful planting. No shade is needed, except for two or three days just after seedlings have been pricked out. Stump plants have been used in India, but generally give poorer results than seedlings raised in pots; this method is not recommended. Bare-root plants have given very poor results.
Acacias have a symbiosis with Rhizobium bacteria, which fonn nodules on the roots and fix nitrogen; however artificial inoculation with Rhizobium is usually unnecessary, but mixing a little topsoil from A. catechu stands into the potting mixture is a useful precaution, if such soil is available near to the nursery.