Growing cypress from seeds - an easy way to get an evergreen handsome
Among the evergreen conifers, cypresses are especially popular. To get yourself these slender beauties, it is not necessary to look for seedlings, because it is not at all difficult to grow cypress from seeds. If you, while walking in the park, find a ripe pine cone, there is only one thing left - to get seeds from it and plant them. And today we will tell you how to do this.
Do seeds need preparation, and which one
First of all, it is worth remembering that it is possible to grow cypress seedlings only if the cone is ripe. In green cones, the seeds will also be green, unripe. They will not give sprouts, but simply rot in the ground.
It is not worth getting seeds "forcibly" from ripe, but closed cones. Better to wait for them to open by themselves, putting the cones in a cardboard box.
In addition, cypress seeds should be stratified before sowing. This strange word refers to a simple cooling procedure. Seeds just need to be kept for a long time (at least 3 months) at a low temperature. Indeed, in nature, the cones fall to the ground, the seeds spill out and winter in the soil, and only sprout in the spring.
In order for the seeds to sprout faster, they must be soaked overnight before sowing. A growth stimulant can be added to the water.
How to sow seeds for seedlings
To grow cypress from seeds, you will need wide, shallow containers and a special substrate for conifers. The seeds are large enough, so it is better to plant one by one, and not sow randomly. Usually a 4x4 scheme is used. Sprinkle the seeds on top with a thin layer of soil (no more than 1 cm) and spray abundantly. Then cover with foil and put in a warm and bright place.
Instead of drainage, you can use crushed bark, and it is better to sow seeds in March.
Seed cypress: features of seedling care
When shoots appear, the cover over the seedlings is removed and provided with simple care:
- Sprinkle the seedlings with a little sand and earth mixture.
- Water regularly, but do not water. Additionally, you can periodically spray the needles.
- Dive into separate small pots when the seedlings rise to a height of 5 cm.
- Once a month, feed with a mineral complex for conifers.
When picking seedlings, the root collar should remain at the soil level.
Young cypress trees are grown at home for a year, and preferably two. They can then be left in the room as a pot culture. And if you live in a warm southern region, plant it in a secluded but bright place in the garden.