How to Plant Almond Seeds
Planting almond seeds requires that you first germinate the seeds, which in the case of an almond, is the actual nut. Purchase quality almonds that are still in the shell, not the ones that are already shelled in bags. Your success rate for germinating and growing the almond seeds may not be very high, so plan to plant at least three times as many almond seeds as you think you need. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Almonds in shells
- Nut cracker
- Containers
- Damp-off prevention
- Shovel
- Fertilizer
Instructions
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1
Remove the almonds from the shells and soak the seeds in water overnight. As with planting, soak a lot of seeds because not all of them will germinate and some that do may grow mold.
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2
Crack or split the almonds softly with a nut cracker, just so they open slightly at the seam.
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3
Plant the almonds seam side up in moist, sterile potting soil. Press the almonds into the soil, leaving some of the seed exposed.
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4
Cover the containers with plastic wrap and place them in the refrigerator for two weeks. Keep the soil moist but not wet. Check for mold each time you moisten the soil. You can also spray the soil with a damp-off prevention product that you can find at your local garden supply to help protect against mold and fungus.
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5
Remove the almond seed containers from inside the refrigerator and place them on top of the refrigerator until the seedlings begin to grow. Keep them watered so that the soil stays moist but is not wet. Watch for mold. It may take several more weeks for your almonds to germinate and become seedlings.
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6
Nurture the almond seedlings in a sunny window or under fluorescent grow lights. Keep them moist but not wet. When the plants have at least two true leaves, transplant them into larger containers.
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7
Plant your almond plants in the ground if you live in zones where fruit and nut trees thrive. Look for a sunny location with good drainage. The best time to plant the small almond plants is late fall or late winter, depending on your climate. Plant the almond tree with the bud union above the soil line.
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8
Fertilize the almond plant when the shoots on the almond tree are 6 inches long. Apply a nitrogen fertilizer 18 inches from the tree trunk around the perimeter of the tree. Repeat the fertilization two more times during the growing period.
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