How to Plant Sourwood Tree Seeds
The sourwood tree (Oxydendrum arboreum) is a popular tree for planting due to its stunning fall colors. The sourwood's 6-inch-long, spear-shaped green leaves change color in the fall to brilliant red, purple, and yellow shades. Growing a sourwood tree from a seed is a long process. The seeds are easy to germinate, but the sourwood tree is so slow-growing that it takes time and patience before the seedling can be planted outdoors. Sourwood trees are tolerant of most growing conditions, but they prefer moist, well-draining soil in a sunny location. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Seedling trays with domed covers
- Peat moss
- Perlite
- Sourwood tree seeds
- Fluorescent lights
- Fertilizer
- Garden trowel
Instructions
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1
Fill the seedling trays, in January, with a mixture of equal parts peat moss and perlite. Moisten the soil mixture with water until damp, but not soggy.
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2
Sprinkle the sourwood tree seeds over the soil mixture in the seedling trays. Place the domed covers on the seedling trays.
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3
Set the trays under continuous fluorescent light, checking occasionally to make sure the soil is still damp. Sourwood tree sprouts should begin appearing in 3-4 weeks.
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4
Change the fluorescent lights, after the sprouts appear, from continuous exposure to 12-hour exposure.
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5
Fertilize the sprouts every two weeks. A diluted, acidic fertilizer should be used. Check the fertilizer directions for the dilution ratios.
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6
Thin the sprouts when they have reached the two-leaf stage. Remove all but the one strongest, dominant sprout in each cell of the seedling tray.
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7
Prepare the seedlings for their final planting by "hardening them off." This is done in early spring, after the danger of frost is past, by removing the domed covers and setting the seedling trays outside in a shady area. The seedling trays will be left in the shady area for two weeks.
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8
Dig holes for the seedlings in a sunny, well-draining area. The holes should be 3 inches wide and 3 inches deep. Dampen the holes.
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9
Lift each seedling out of its seedling cell, carefully, using the garden trowel. Keep the roots encased with the seedling tray soil.
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10
Lower the seedlings into the holes, using one seedling per hole. Replace the soil in the holes, patting it down firmly, maintaining the same depth that the seedlings had been in the seedling trays.
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Dampen the soil around the bases of the seedlings. Avoid fertilizing for 2 weeks, then resume fertilizing with a diluted acidic fertilizer.
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Tips & Warnings
Sourwood tree seedlings grow so slowly that they can be left, indoors, in the uncovered seedling tray for up to a year. If grown this way, make sure that the soil stays damp and that the seedlings receive at least 12 hours of fluorescent light each day.
