Growing spruce: features of collecting and preparing seeds
Many people associate spruce with the New Year holidays and the expectation of something magical. But in addition to childish and naive associations, the forest beauty also has medicinal properties: it purifies the air and has a beneficial effect on the nervous system and respiratory organs.
You can grow your own seedling yourself with a minimum of effort. Coniferous plants will die if they are planted where they were previously located vegetable crops.
The application of peat fertilizer is a prerequisite for good spruce growth. Spruce can be propagated in two ways: by cuttings and seeds.
Content:
Soil and planting material
Blue spruce trees are the most popular among gardeners. They are unusual in appearance and undemanding to climatic conditions. The soil for blue spruce should be neutral or slightly acidic.
The best option would be soil mixed with soil from under coniferous plants. Loamy or sandy loam soil is also suitable. You can prepare the soil yourself or purchase ready-made and processed soil from a specialized store. Spruce will grow well in high humidity.
The most accessible way is cuttings. Plant winter cuttings in a greenhouse. It is important to maintain optimal humidity and temperature. Cuttings will not take root in open ground. This method of reproduction will give results 2-3 times faster.
The result depends on the correct collection of planting material. You can buy ready-made seeds at the market or get them from ripe cones. Planting material must be of high quality, so when purchasing, you should pay attention to the manufacturer. If possible, it is better to prepare the seeds yourself.
It is recommended to collect planting material in winter. To do this, collect the cones, fold them into loose fabric and place them next to heating devices. After some time, they will open on their own and the seeds can be removed easily and without damage.
After this, they need to be cleaned of lionfish and ground. To remove essential oils, the seeds must be washed with water and dried.
Store the obtained seeds in an airtight container in a cool place: refrigerator or on the balcony. First, pour wet sand into the container and disinfect the seeds with a solution of potassium permanganate. In this state it must be stored until spring.
Seed preparation can be simplified a little. About a week before planting, keep the seeds in cold water for several days, and then 2-3 days in a damp state in the refrigerator. Seeds ready to board.
Methods of growing and planting spruce
Spruce planting should be done in the spring, when the temperature reaches 15 degrees. Before planting, the seeds should be removed from the container and treated with Fundazol solution. To prepare the solution you will need 20 g of the substance per 10 liters of water.
Seeds are planted either in a greenhouse or in a regular pot. Before planting, the soil must be moistened. There is no need to bury the seeds deep into the ground. The recommended distance from the surface is 1.5 cm, from each other - 3-5 cm. Place the seeds, cover with peat and sawdust.During the entire germination period, the soil should be well moistened.
After completing the deepening procedure, the soil should be covered with a transparent film. Direct sunlight should not fall on the seeds. If planted correctly, the first shoots should appear within a week. The speed at which seedlings will grow depends on the variety and growth process.
If the seedlings are located too close to each other, then they need to be thinned out and only strong and healthy shoots left. The optimal distance between seedlings is 6-7 cm. The soil should be loosened very carefully so as not to damage root system young shoots.
There is no need to water the seedlings; just spray them twice a day. During the first month, the sprout increases to 4 cm. The blue color of the spruce will not appear immediately, but after 3 years.
It is recommended to transplant no more than once every 2 years. Typically, a spruce is replanted in the first year of life, when its height reaches 10 cm. Replanting should be done in spring or autumn before frost sets in.
Features of caring for spruce
During the first season, young spruce must be fed with a solution of mullein diluted with water. The row spacing should be mulched with fallen leaves or peat. It is recommended to replant coniferous plants in extreme cases. Frequent replanting does not allow you to grow a beautiful and strong plant.
If the needles of young seedlings turn yellow or begin to fall off, this means that the thermal regime was not observed. To prevent the spruce from completely dying in the future, you should change the living conditions of the needles and use a bioregulator. This method helps support the spruce’s immunity.
The needles lost their shine and began to dry out, which means the soil needs to be acidifiedb.This problem can be solved this way: add a little acidic soil to the top layer. It is important to monitor the pH level of the soil and avoid exposing the roots. The soil can be watered with water with the addition of vinegar or purchased special fertilizer.
Young seedlings are quite susceptible to low temperatures, so they should be protected from frost. For the winter, the rhizomes must be hilled up, lightly sprinkled with peat and covered.
Greenhouses in which spruce trees are planted must be ventilated every day, any condensation that appears must be removed and the soil must be moistened as necessary.
The first shoots should be removed from weeds, as they slow down the growth of spruce. It is not recommended to plant spruce trees near groundwater and in flooded areas. It is also not recommended to plant conifers in elevated areas and windy areas.
The technology for growing spruce trees is simple. It is important to prepare seeds for planting in time, and then provide proper care for young spruce trees.
Video about growing spruce from seeds.
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