Blue spruce (Picea pungens) is a popular evergreen conifer known for its attractive blue-green needles and conical growth habit With its year-round color and pyramidal form, this stately tree makes a beautiful focal point in landscapes across many regions If you want to grow your own blue spruce trees, starting them from seeds can be a fun and rewarding gardening project.
In this complete guide, you’ll learn all the steps and tips for successfully growing blue spruce trees from seeds, including:
When to Plant Blue Spruce Seeds
The best time to sow blue spruce seeds is in late fall or early winter. This cold stratification period helps break the seeds’ dormancy so they can germinate in spring. Gather cones after they ripen in early fall and extract the seeds. Store any excess seeds in a cool, dry place until it’s time to plant.
Preparing Seeds for Planting
Before planting, blue spruce seeds need a period of moist chilling known as stratification. Place seeds in a plastic bag with moist peat moss or vermiculite. Seal and refrigerate for 4-6 weeks prior to planting. This mimics winter conditions and promotes germination.
How to Plant Stratified Seeds
Fill seed trays or pots with a seed starting mix Gently press seeds onto the soil surface without covering them Blue spruce seeds need light to germinate, Mist soil to moisten and cover trays with plastic to retain humidity,
Germination Conditions
Keep soil moist and provide bottom heat of 65-70°F. Germination takes 3-5 weeks. Once sprouted, remove plastic, place in bright light and gradually introduce outdoor conditions.
When to Transplant Seedlings
Transplant outdoors after last frost when seedlings are 2-4 inches tall. Amend soil with compost to improve drainage. Dig holes twice as wide and deep as the root ball. Gently remove from pots place in hole and backfill with native soil.
Ongoing Care of Seedlings
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Water deeply 1-2 times per week until established.
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Mulch around base to retain moisture.
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Prune only damaged branches and shape in dormant season.
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Monitor for pests like spruce gall, mites and budworm.
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Allow several years to reach mature landscape size.
Tips for Growing Success
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Stratify seeds properly for best germination rates.
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Use fresh seeds within 1-2 years of harvest.
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Avoid overwatering which causes fungal issues.
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Give seedlings 12-16 hours of sunlight daily.
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Transplant carefully to prevent root disturbance.
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Prepare soil with compost before planting.
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Be patient! Blue spruce are slow growing trees.
Growing blue spruce from seeds requires proper harvesting, storage, and planting techniques. With the right conditions and care, your efforts will be rewarded with a stand of beautiful blue-needled evergreens to enjoy for years to come. Give it a try and watch your landscape transform as you grow these striking trees from seed.
Step-by-Step Process for Growing Blue Spruce from Seeds
Follow these steps for the highest success rate when starting blue spruce from seeds:
Gather and Store Seeds
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Collect ripe cones in early fall before frost. Wear gloves when handling.
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Gently shake and rub cones to extract seeds.
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Clean debris off seeds and let dry.
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Place seeds in an airtight container and store in fridge.
Stratify Seeds Before Planting
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In late fall, mix seeds with moist peat moss or vermiculite.
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Put mixture in a sealed plastic bag and refrigerate for 4-6 weeks.
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Check moisture levels periodically and re-wet if needed.
Sow Stratified Seeds
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Fill pots or trays with seed starting mix, water lightly.
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Sprinkle seeds on soil surface and gently press them in.
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Cover trays with plastic domes to retain humidity.
Provide Warmth and Light for Germination
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Place pots on heating mats set to 65-70°F.
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Once sprouted, remove plastic and give 14-16 hours of light daily.
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Keep soil consistently moist but not soaked.
Care for Seedlings
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Gradually acclimate to outdoor conditions after sprouting.
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Transplant to larger containers as they grow.
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Amend soil with compost before final planting outside.
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Water deeply 1-2 times per week until established.
Be Patient!
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Germination can take 3-5 weeks. Proper chilling is key.
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Seedlings grow slowly and may take several years to mature.
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With consistent care you’ll be rewarded with beautiful blue spruce trees.
Follow this straightforward process for the best results when growing blue spruce trees from seeds. Pay close attention to providing the proper conditions at each stage, and your homegrown evergreens will thrive for years to come.
What You Will Need
- A small plastic pot about 4 inches across, or 5 empty yogurt pots
- Some houseplant soil for cactus or succulent plants (not garden soil)
- A Ziplock bag large enough to hold the pot standing upright
- A small bowl
- Water
What You are Going to Do, and Why
Like many tree seeds, Blue Spruce seeds need a period at low temperatures to allow them to sprout. This is to protect them from sprouting in the fall, when they would then be killed by the winter cold. The seeds must be moist to do this. For small numbers it is easiest to do this by sowing them, and then chilling them in the pots. After that they need warmth and light to germinate, which may take several weeks. The soil must remain moist, but not wet, at all times. The young seedlings should be left outdoors through their first winter and placed in larger pots the next spring. Enjoy watching your babies grow!
How to Grow Blue Spruce From Seed
FAQ
How long does it take for a blue spruce seed to germinate?
Germination will begin in about five days and continue for up to 20 days. 7. Use tweezers to place the germinated seeds in two-gallon pots of soil. Cover with 1/4 inch of coarse sand or finely crushed rock.
Do spruce seeds need cold stratification?
Spruce pine (Pinus glabra Walt.) seeds are dormant and require stratification for fast, complete germination. For up to 28 days, both total germination and speed of germination increased as the stratification period lengthened; extending the period to 56 days improved speed only.
How quickly does baby blue spruce grow?
Slow to Moderate: The Baby Blue Colorado Spruce has a slow to moderate growth rate, typically growing about 6 to 12 inches per year.
How do you propagate blue spruce?
Propagate your own Blue Spruce haven with ease using our ultimate, step-by-step guide! Collect unripe cones midfall for viable Blue Spruce seeds. Stratify seeds to break dormancy, then plant in well-draining soil. Use rooting hormone on cuttings and provide indirect light for rooting.
How do you grow a blue spruce tree?
Water the soil thoroughly after you plant so that it is moist to the depth of the spruce’s roots. Blue spruce trees can be grown from seed. First collect the seeds, dry them and when you’re ready, prepare them for germination and planting. Blue Spruce are tall so make sure you have space in your yard for this beauitufl tree.
Why do blue spruce trees sprout?
Every towering spruce tree came from a tiny seed just like the ones you are holding in your hand, so let’s bring about that miracle of nature. Like many tree seeds, Blue Spruce seeds need a period at low temperatures to allow them to sprout. This is to protect them from sprouting in the fall, when they would then be killed by the winter cold.
Can you grow blue spruce from seeds?
You can grow blue spruce from seeds that have been saved from the cones of a tree or bought online. They need a period of chilling before sowing. Sow at any time of year. In a cool greenhouse or cold frame, sow the seeds into 9cm pots filled with peat-free, multi-purpose compost.
How do you grow a spruce tree from seeds?
Here is the best method for growing a spruce tree from seeds. You can purchase seeds or you can gather your own. If you plan to gather them, collect several spruce cones in early September. Store them in a paper bag, where they will mature and dry. Eventually, the seeds will fall out of the cone on their own.
How do you grow Colorado blue spruce seeds?
This soil type, which includes sandy, loamy, and clayey variants, is readily available in garden stores. It’s preferred for Colorado Blue Spruce seeds as it closely simulates their natural germination conditions. Moisture Control: Regularly sprinkle the seeds with clean water to keep them moist, but be cautious to avoid waterlogging.
How do you grow blue spruces?
Follow these best practices for getting great results with your homegrown blue spruces: Always use fresh seeds to maximize viability and vigor. Store properly. Sow more seeds than needed and thin seedlings later for the best ones. Grow seedlings in full sun but protect from harsh direct light while very young.