How to Grow Blue Spruce from Seeds: A Comprehensive Guide
Blue Spruce Growing Guide
Blue spruce (Picea pungens) is a visually stunning evergreen tree known for its soothing blue needle foliage. However, growing blue spruce from pine cones is not as straightforward as it might seem. While blue spruce trees produce cones, these cones will not yield blue spruces. Instead, they will produce pines. This article will walk you through the entire process of growing blue spruce from seeds, ensuring success in your gardening endeavors.
What You'll Need
Before you start, you'll need a few essential items to aid you in your journey:
Paper bag Freezer bag Plastic wrap Bowl Seed-starting soil Spray bottle Watering can ShovelStep-by-Step Guide to Growing Blue Spruce from Seeds
Step 1: Collect Closed Pine Cones
Begin your quest for blue spruce seeds by collecting closed pine cones from the blue spruces on your property. This should be done in early September when the cones are still intact.
Step 2: Store Pine Cones
Place the pine cones in a paper bag and seal it. Leave the bag on a window sill for roughly one month. This helps the cones release their seeds naturally.
Step 3: Shake and Collect Seeds
Shake the bag vigorously to release the seeds within the cones. Open the bag and collect the seeds. If the cones have not yet opened, close the bag and check again in another month to ensure all seeds are released.
Step 4: Put Seeds in a Freezer Bag
Label your bag and place the seeds inside. Store the bag in the freezer until the first of April.
Step 5: Soak Seeds in Water
Remove the seeds and soak them in water for 24 hours. This helps in the germination process by softening the seed coat.
Step 6: Prepare Seeds for Planting
Wrap the seeds in a moistened paper towel and place the towel and seeds back into the plastic bag. Store the plastic bag in the refrigerator for six weeks. This cold stratification helps in replication of natural climatic conditions, thus aiding in the germination process.
Step 7: Plant Seeds in a Pot
Fill a 2-gallon container to within 2 inches of its rim with moistened seed-starting soil. Place a seed in the center of the soil and cover it with 1/4 inch of course sand. Moisten the sand with water sprayed from a hand sprayer. Cover the top of the pot with plastic wrap to seal in the pots moisture.
Step 8: Prepare for Seed Germination
Place the pot in indirect sunlight until the seed germinates. Monitor the pots moisture level while you wait. If the soil begins to look dry or there is no condensation on the underside of the plastic wrap, moisten it with water from your spray bottle.
Step 9: Place Pot in Sunlight
Once a seedling emerges, remove the plastic wrap and move the pot to a window where it will receive direct sunlight. Water the soil with a watering can whenever the soil not the sand feels dry to the touch. Check the soil's moisture level twice a day.
Step 10: Fertilize the Baby Plant
Fertilize the blue spruce seedling with a liquid 20-20-20 fertilizer twice weekly once the seedling reaches 1 inch in height. Follow the manufacturers instructions for application rates and amounts. Always water after each fertilizer application. Stop applying fertilizer in mid July.
Step 11: Prepare Seedling for Outdoor Conditions
To prepare the seedling for outdoor conditions, bring it outside in direct sunlight for two hours each day for three to four days. Then increase the amount it is left outside incrementally until it spends a full day outside.
Step 12: Transplant into a Bigger Container
After the seedling has acclimatized, transplant it into a bigger container or into the ground. Dig a hole just as deep but twice as wide as the container. Then plant the seedling at the same depth that it grew in the pot. Water the soil thoroughly after you plant so that it is moist to the depth of the spruces roots.
Conclusion
Growing blue spruces from seeds is a rewarding process, but it requires patience and care. By following these steps, you can successfully grow blue spruce trees in your garden. With the right conditions and proper care, your efforts will yield beautiful, vibrant blue spruces that will add natural beauty and value to your property.