How are thuja grown from seeds at home?

Evergreens are very attractive for landscaping areas. Especially if you do not set yourself the goal of getting a crop. Conifers and cypress trees require significantly less maintenance than deciduous trees; they are less affected by pests and diseases, are not so demanding on watering, but are very attractive purely visually. Thuja stands alone among such attractive plants. In addition to the fact that it can become a real decoration of the personal plot, it is also available for home breeding. And in the house, thuja is not only pleasant to the eye, it additionally and very revitalizes and purifies the atmosphere - in the most literal sense. The main task in this case is the question of how to grow thuja from seeds. Moreover, this can be done at home, on the windowsill. Many do just that: they keep the tree in room conditions until a certain moment and only then they are planted in a permanent habitat. The advantage of this method of breeding a plant is that it is easy to care for it while it is most vulnerable.

Features of seed reproduction

Good tolerance to urban conditions, undemandingness in relation to temperature, decorativeness and durability - these are the advantages that thuja can boast of. Growing this tree from seeds is more difficult than vegetatively. To begin with, the process will be quite long - up to five years. In addition, it is difficult to guess what kind of tree the result will be. You took seeds of a spherical thuja - and got a pyramidal one (or vice versa). This is a very common incident. However, if the appearance is of fundamental importance to you, you can select the desired seedling with the required crown shape already a year after planting, because before growing thuja from seeds, a lot of them are sown, and the probability of finding the subspecies you need among them is 50 per 50. In the end, the seedlings that do not satisfy you can be given away to friends and acquaintances.

Seed collection rules

Long before growing from thuja seeds, you need to properly collect and prepare them. To ensure good similarity, it is best to use only fresh seed. It is harvested in the fall. The seeds are hidden in the cones. And there is no need to wait for the "containers" to fall off the branches by themselves, since it is guaranteed that thuja can be grown from seeds only from plucked cones. They break off right with the branches, and it's better with a margin, in case something goes wrong. Cones are laid out on paper at home in one layer. The very next day, the necessary seeds will be poured out of them.

Stratification is needed!

Before growing from thuja seeds, moreover, full-fledged and non-painful, the seed must be hardened - almost like children. One of the options is to wrap the seeds in rags, bury them in the ground and cover with insulation - at least with dry leaves. In winter, another layer of snow will be added. In such conditions, the seeds will get stronger and "sleep off" in order to be full of strength in the spring. When the snow is already melting, but the ground is still cold, cloths with seeds are simply moved to the refrigerator, sprinkling a container with them with moistened sand.

Another stratification option, less reliable and more suitable for those who are thinking about how to grow thuja from seeds at home, is to keep the planting material in wet sand or just in water. For this method, half a day is enough. The seeds will sprout quickly, but the seedlings will need supervision and extra care for quite some time.

Planting seeds

If you are seriously thinking about how to grow thuja from seeds, then somewhere in April you must make short beds. The swollen grains go no more than half a centimeter into the soil. A distance of at least 10 centimeters is maintained between the holes. A very thin layer of soil is poured on top. Watering should be systematic, then in four weeks shoots will appear. If weeds are noticed at this time, they should be removed at this stage - they can drown out weak sprouts. While the trees are still very tiny, they will have to be shaded from the sun - direct rays are destructive for them.

Home cultivation

If you are more interested in the question of how to grow thuja from seeds at home, take into account the following rules. Seed preparation is the same as for garden breeding. A grain soaked for a day gives a shoot, it should be placed in a small pot, covered with either a special soil for conifers, or a universal one with the addition of peat and sand. The surface of the soil should also be sprinkled with sand, sawdust or small pebbles to recreate the semblance of natural conditions. Watering is necessary only to the extent of drying, more frequent moistening will lead to decay of the seedling.

In the allotted container, the sprout will become a seedling and will spend a year in it. The next spring, again in April, he is transplanted into a larger pot with the same soil.

The most important thing is care

And what is interesting - it is not difficult at all! We figured out the watering, their regularity remains the same throughout the life of the tree. The only addition is that when it grows up, it is better to irrigate the crown when watering. You can also start shaping the crown from an early age - any thuja at this stage will willingly learn the pyramidal, spherical, and some intricate shape. The main thing is to trim regularly. With light, the situation is also not too difficult - scattered and even bright will do, if only not direct rays. Only a thick shadow is not good, but in most cases this issue is not difficult to solve. Do not be lazy to loosen the soil either - the thuja will grow faster and more luxuriantly, unless, of course, you damage the roots. And the main thing! If your tree lives "free", be sure to wrap it up for the winter. Without shelter, he also has a chance to survive, but in the spring you will most likely get a pitiful panicle with shabby branches. And it will take a lot of time to grow new foliage.

From all of the above, an obvious conclusion can be drawn: it is not necessary to have clear ideas about how to grow thuja from seeds, it is much more important to be attentive to it and take good care of it. And then she will grow beautifully both at home, and on a plot next to the dacha, and on a flower bed near the entrance.

One last remark. If you do grow a tree at home, make sure that your cat does not choose a tub as his toilet. Gnawing of branches by animals (as well as ripping them off by your children) thuja can still endure. But she will definitely not survive the cat "fertilizer"!

Thuja is one of the most beautiful representatives of evergreen trees and is often used in landscaping to decorate garden plots and city parks. Usually, the plant is grown by buying ready-made seedlings in special nurseries, but if you wish, you can grow the thuja yourself, collecting seeds from an existing tree for this. Even a novice gardener can cope with the cultivation of thuja seeds. It will be possible to move the grown seedlings into open ground in the third year of development.

1 Advantages and Disadvantages of Seed Growing

The most important advantage of growing thuja seeds is that you can get a large number of seedlings of the same size and age almost free of charge. This is especially true for those gardeners who plan to arrange a hedge from the thuja, because the seedlings of this plant are quite expensive. In addition, the thuja grown by the seed method will already be adapted to the local climatic conditions and soil composition.

But this method of cultivation also has its drawbacks, because of which it is used less often than cultivation by cuttings. First of all, it is the duration of the process of development of seedlings. From the moment of sowing seeds to transplanting seedlings to a permanent place, at least four years will pass. Not always during seed propagation, the characteristics of the variety of the mother plant are preserved, as when growing thuja from twigs. Therefore, young conifers grown by seeds can have a different crown shape.

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2 Seed and soil preparation

Thuja seeds need to be harvested in early autumn. To do this, it is necessary to cut off ripe brown or brown cones from the mother plant and spread them out on paper in the apartment so that they dry out within a few days. After that, the cones will open up on their own, and small seeds will fall on the paper sheet.

To increase germination, seeds must be stratified. To do this, they are wrapped in a rag and buried in the ground in the fall, covered with fallen leaves or other insulation on top. With the onset of spring, the seeds are dug up and poured into a container. A layer of sand is poured on top and placed in the refrigerator for 2 months.

Soil for sowing seeds can be bought ready-made. In this case, choose a special soil mixture for conifers. If this is not possible, you can mix the soil yourself. It should consist of the following components:

• 2 pieces of sand;
• 1 part of sod land;
• 1 part peat.

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3 Algorithm of the procedure

Seeds that have passed stratification can be sown directly into the ground, by setting aside a special bed for them. But it is better to plant them first in boxes and grow them for the first years at home. This will make it easier to care for the seedlings.

Furrow marking

Step by step, the planting process is as follows: a layer of drainage is laid on the bottom of the box and filled with prepared soil. The soil surface is leveled and compacted so that its level is 2–3 cm below the edges of the box. Then the furrows are marked, keeping a distance of 5–6 cm between them.

Preparing furrows for sowing

Then, for the convenience of work, the furrows are slightly widened.

Seed placement in furrows

The seeds are spread evenly over the entire furrow.

Backfilling seeds with soil mixture

From above, the seeds are covered with a layer of soil 1 cm and the surface of the soil is compacted with a plate. Then it is moistened by spraying with water from a spray bottle.

After sowing, the boxes are covered with glass or foil and placed in a warm place for germination. When sprouts appear, the boxes are moved to a cool room with good lighting. The shelter is periodically removed for airing and watering the plants. If there are spoiled sprouts, they are removed. After 40 days, the seedlings are already strong enough, then the shelter can be removed completely.

Sowing and germinating seeds can be done in an easier way. For this, the seeds collected in the fall are not processed, but are immediately sown on the beds in the open field. To create favorable conditions, the place where the seeds are sown is covered with sawdust. In the spring, after the snow melts, the first shoots will appear, similar to dill. With such a way of growing, which is natural for thuja, seedlings can grow by 7 cm per year. They must be covered for the winter.

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4 Seedling care

When growing seedlings in boxes, they do not need to be transplanted if the plantings are not very thickened and there is enough space for each plant to grow. Care in the first year of life should consist only in periodic moistening of the soil. You need to keep boxes with seedlings in a shaded place at temperatures from +17 to +23 degrees. It is best to grow seedlings on windows on the north or west side of the house. In winter, the temperature can be reduced to +15 degrees.

To stimulate growth and development, seedlings need to be fed twice a month with complex mineral fertilizers. As a top dressing, such preparations as "Solution" or "Agricol" are suitable. They are used according to the instructions on the package.

In the second year of seedling development, they are seated in separate pots and moved outside, to a semi-illuminated place in the garden. Care at this time consists in moderate watering. For the winter, pots with young thuja are brought into the room. In the third year, they are taken out into the street in May, and in the fall, bushes can be planted in a permanent place.

5 Transfer to open ground

You can plant young plants in open ground starting from the third year of their development. But it is better to postpone the transplant until the seedlings reach the age of five. Before planting, a darkened place on the site is chosen for the thujas and the soil is prepared. The soil is dug up, at the same time applying the following fertilizers to each square meter:

• humus - 1 bucket;
• nitroammofosk - 2 tbsp. l .;
• wood ash - 1 tbsp.

When transplanting, you need to ensure that the root collar is not buried. This will lead to yellowing of the needles and the death of the plant.

The grown thuja are planted in their summer cottage so that the distance between them is at least 30 cm. Having transplanted the seedlings, they are watered and mulched with peat. Further care consists in timely regular watering, periodic loosening of the soil and timely disposal of weeds. After the height of the seedling reaches half a meter, young plants can be transplanted to their permanent habitat.

In the first winter after planting plants in open ground, they are absolutely necessary for protection from cold weather and animals. To do this, the seedlings are covered with foliage and branches, you can use hay for shelter, on top of which burlap is fixed. In the fall, seedlings may turn brown. This is normal: in the spring, the thuja will turn green again.

Tui are beautifully grown from seeds! The experience of many gardeners shows that the plant is well accepted, grows well, pleases with a strong green mass. Of course, planting thuja with seeds is still labor-intensive, it is much easier to buy ready-made seedlings. However, if you already have an adult tree on the site, you can try to get your own coniferous growth.

Thuja seeds are recommended to be collected in late autumn. Keep track of the degree of maturity of the seeds - they must be already formed and dried, but not overdried, otherwise you risk getting only capsules, and the seeds will already be on the ground. Dried thuja seeds fly out of the buds when they reach maturity, so consider this property.

It is best to collect seeds with tweezers, substituting a glass or some kind of larger container.

After collecting the seeds, husk them and then sort out the largest and healthiest ones. I recommend storing seeds in a glass jar.

Growing thuja from seeds at home

Sow seeds in trays in early February. Take the usual soil for indoor plants. It already has all the necessary substances for the growth of thuja seedlings. The planting depth of seeds is about 1.5 cm, the distance in rows is 3 cm. In a regular flower tray, seeds can be sown in two rows.

After planting, sprinkle the soil liberally with a spray bottle. It is advisable not to use a watering can, as it is possible to disrupt the occurrence of seeds. Then, after watering, cover the trays with plastic wrap, creating a greenhouse.

Note that you should not keep the trays in the sun, just keep them in the room on the table. Make sure that the soil in the trays is moist, do not let it dry out.

After about three weeks, you will see the sprouts of the thuja from the seeds hatching. Now you can transfer the seedling trays to the sunny windowsill. Watering is still desirable by spraying from a spray bottle. It will be possible to water from a watering can when the sprouts are already 5 centimeters.

Transplanting thuja seedlings into open ground

In early June, thuja seedlings can be transplanted into open ground. Do not plant thuja if you have near groundwater - the plant does not like this. Thuja also does not tolerate sandy and soddy soils.

The soil must be prepared in advance. In the fall, add compost or manure to the soil, and in the spring, add an additional portion and mix thoroughly with the soil. Plant thuja seedlings in this soil mixture.

Top dressing will allow the plants to root well. It is advisable to plant the plants in rows, take the interval between the seedlings at your discretion. If you want to get a hedge, then take a step shorter than 50 cm, and if you want to see each tree separately, then take a large step - 1 m.

Top dressing and care of young thuja

Do not forget, after planting young thujas, from time to time to loosen the soil and get rid of weeds. A layer of straw mulch can provide the best protection against breaking through grasses. Also, don't forget to feed the plants. In the first season, feed them twice after disembarking. In July and August.

Preparation of thuja for the first winter

The first winter, your plantings should definitely be sheltered from cold weather and animals. Can be covered with foliage or branches. You can use hay, and on top with some kind of fabric, for example, an old blanket.

You should not be embarrassed by the fact that in the fall the first-year thuja can turn brown. This will take place next spring. Do not forget to take care of the thuja and the next year - feed, loosen the soil, water as needed.

see also

Video with a guide to planting thuja Smaragd, purchased in the nursery

The simplest and most convenient technology for thuja breeding is sowing seeds in the ground before winter. Seedlings come out strong, develop well. You can get any number of seedlings in a fairly short time. Here's how to do it:

Why is it convenient to propagate thuja by seeds
Thuja is winter-hardy and unpretentious. It is one of the best plants for hedges: thanks to the evergreen needles, it protects the garden from the cold winds in both summer and winter. But for a hedge, you need a large number of very expensive plants. Where to get so many seedlings if you don't want to incur extra costs?
Propagating thuja by seeds, you can get any number of seedlings in 3-4 years. And do not be afraid that in the first year of life, seedlings reach only 7 centimeters. After 2 years of cultivation, they will already grow up to 50 cm, and subsequently they will give an increase of about 30 cm per season.

How to prepare thuja seeds from cones Thuja seeds ripen in late August - early September. You need to collect seeds before the cones open.

Spread out the collected thuja cones in a thin layer to dry in a warm, dry place. As soon as the cones dry out and open, the seeds spill out freely from them. It is better not to pull with sowing: if you store thuja seeds at room temperature, after three months their germination rate sharply decreases. If you do decide to sow in spring, stratification (exposure to low temperatures) will be necessary for successful germination.

The easiest way is to sow thuja with freshly harvested seeds in the fall, leaving the crops to winter outside. Natural stratification increases the vigor of germination, seedlings emerge earlier than after spring sowing, require less worries, grow faster and endure the first winter more successfully.

Sowing thuja seeds You can sow thuja directly into the ground on a specially designated bed, but it is better to sow seeds in a box.So it is more convenient to work, and it is easier to care for the seedlings: if necessary, the box can be rearranged to any place.

Fill the box with a mixture of turf or garden soil, peat and sand (1: 2: 0.5 parts). Level well over the entire surface and compact the soil in such a way that the side of the box rises 2-3 cm above it. After that, grooves should be marked at a distance of 5-6 centimeters.

To make it easier to burrow the seeds, widen the grooves.

Spread the thuja seeds evenly along the entire length of the groove.

Fill the crops with soil mixture on top with a layer of about 1 cm. Compact the surface with a plank. If the weather is dry, water a little, but be careful not to float the seeds. Those seeds that do float should be sprinkled with a small amount of soil. No watering is required in wet weather.

How to care for thuja crops Install a box with sowing outdoors, preferably under the crown of trees: then the seedlings will not be in direct sunlight in the spring - for conifers, including thuja, it is dangerous. If there are animals on your site, then the crops must be covered with a film or non-woven covering material. After the snow has melted, make sure that the cover does not touch the surface of the soil.

In 2-3 weeks after the soil warms up to + 10 ... + 15 ° С, the thuja gives the first shoots. Thuja seedlings do not look like adult plants: their needles are needle-shaped, and not scaly, like in adult plants.

It may seem that instead of the thuja, another plant has grown from the seeds - for example, a spruce or a juniper. But do not be alarmed: after 2-3 months, the seedlings will have the first branches with real scaly needles.

Feed the plants every two weeks with a solution of a complete mineral fertilizer (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium). You can use fertilizers "Solution", "Agricola" - they include trace elements (manganese, zinc, molybdenum, copper, boron). During the season, seedlings grow up to 7-8 cm and remain in the box for the winter.

If the crops are not very thickened, and the box is deep enough (or you sowed directly into the ground), then the crops can be left in the same place for another year. But more developed thuja seedlings are obtained if they are planted in a school (garden bed) after the first wintering.

It is best to choose a place for a school in a light partial shade. Apply to the soil 1 sq. m: humus (1 bucket), nitroammophoska (40 g) and wood ash (250-300 g), dig well onto the bayonet of the shovel.

Thuja tolerates transplantation well at any age. It is planted in a school for growing up according to a 30x30 cm scheme.

When planting, make sure that the root collar remains on the damage of the soil, deepening leads to damping. As a result, thuja turns yellow and usually dies.

More: why does thuja turn yellow?

After planting, water and mulch with peat. Feed every 2-3 weeks in the same way as in the previous season, water in dry weather, loosen the soil after watering and remove weeds at the same time. In the third year of cultivation, when the thuja grown from seeds reaches a height of 50 centimeters, it can be planted in a permanent place.

For a hedge, a homogeneous planting material is needed, but when growing thuja from seeds, forms are split: seedlings from sowing are obtained with different outlines and density of crowns. There is a solution to this problem. At the age of 2-3 years, the future shape of the crown is already clearly visible in thuja seedlings. You can easily find the required amount of uniform planting material for a hedge or other purposes. In addition, the thuja tolerates a haircut very well, and the desired shape of the hedge can be obtained, even if the seedlings are slightly different.