Growing blue spruce is interesting, and today many are eager to decorate their infield with this beautiful ornamental plant. Blue spruce is resistant to droughts, winds and frosts, it tolerates gas pollution of the air. However, the tree is demanding for air humidity and soil quality. Let's find out how you can grow blue spruce from seeds.
Planting blue spruce with seeds
The blue spruce is propagated by cuttings, grafts and seeds. The first method is the easiest, it is suitable for beginners, and the other two require some experience. Note that growing blue spruce from seeds at home is not practiced - it must be done outdoors or (firstly) in a greenhouse.
Very important is the choice of planting material. There are different kinds of blue (spiny) spruce. In the natural environment, they grow in North America, in moist soils of mountain valleys near rivers and streams. There is a blue fir in our region. You can use fresh seeds, taken directly from cones of wood, or purchased material of the sort you need. When buying, pay attention to the percentage of grades - this figure tells you what the ratio of blue and green spruce you will get as a result.
In the issue of stratification of seeds, blue spruce, experienced gardeners and eminent seed producers disagree. On the one hand, pre-quenched seeds have a theoretically large germination capacity. According to other sources, the seeds of most varieties of blue spruce do not need stratification.
Much more important for the reproduction of blue spruce seeds is the preparation of soil, proper watering and other factors.
Planting seeds is best done in a greenhouse, usually in the spring, in April. Before sowing it is recommended to soak in water or manganese for 12 hours.
The substrate for planting seeds should consist of a mixture of coarse-grained river sand, which must be burned, and peat. Sowing should be done on a leveled, tamped and well-moistened area. Do not over-penetrate the seeds, otherwise they will rise very long.
After the first shoots appear, maintain a constant soil moisture, but do not over-moisten it. You can use a fogging unit. It is recommended to replant plants in school in the autumn.