Pre-Treatment
There are two species of traditional Christmas Tree seeds within this festive seed kit, so keep separate so that identification of the seed is not lost. The two packets of seed require a similar approach to germination.
Soak the seeds in a saucer of tepid water for 24 hours. Once complete, take a sheet of kitchen roll, and very lightly moisten the paper. Place the seeds onto, the moistened paper and fold lightly, ensuring the seeds do not fall out. Carefully place the paper and seeds into a sealable polythene bag.
These seeds need a period of time in cold conditions to mimic a winter season. Keep a small gap open on the bag to allow for air circulation and place into your refrigerator (not the freezer). Leave there for approximately 6-8 weeks.
Keep regular checks on the status of the seeds and ensure the paper is always moist but not waterlogged. Add a few drops of water if need be. Check at least weekly to ensure the contents of the bag have not dried out. After 6-8 weeks, these seeds will be ready for sowing.
During this pre-treatment stage it is possible that some of the seeds may begin to germinate and you may notice green shoots emerging. If this occurs, remove the germinated seeds from the refrigerator and begin the sowing stage. The remaining ungerminated seeds should continue their full period of refrigeration before moving on to the sowing stage.
Sowing the Seeds
Place a soil disc into one of the supplied saucers and add water. Continue to do so until the soil disc is fully saturated and has expanded fully. Insert the expanded soil into a pot.
Place 4 or 5 seeds from each species of tree into their own pot. Gently loosen/roughen the surface of the soil and cover each seed lightly. It is now a good time to label your pots for identification purposes. Use the supplied markers and insert into the soil.
Put the pot within one of the supplied saucers and water. This is best done by adding water to the saucer and allowing the soil to it soak up. Each saucer can accommodate 2 pots. It is vital to ensure that the soil remains moist, but not waterlogged at all times. Place on a warm and bright windowsill. Covering the pot loosely with cling film can aid water retention and warmth, so this is recommended for faster germination.
After Germination Care
As the seedlings grow, you’ll need to begin to add a very small amount of young plant fertiliser.Be careful not to overfeed or this can kill your plant. If multiple seedlings have germinated, carefully prick them out and put them into a small pot of their own. Leave the strongest looking seedling in place for the time being. It is best to pot up your seedlings into a larger pot once roots have begun to emerge at the base of the mini pots. Move outdoors after a few months and protect from severe frosts whilst young. Plant outdoors in their final position after 2 – 3 years of growth.
You can purchase your Christmas Tree Seed Kit here.
Decorate according to personal taste. Good luck and happy growing!