How to Pot a Pecan Tree
Symmetrical and strong, pecan trees are hardy ornamental nut trees. Preferring moist, well-drained loamy soil, they will grow 70 to 100 feet tall with a 50- to 60-foot spreading canopy. Pecan trees are disease and drought resistant and with minimal care can live to be 300 or more years old. They are easily started from cuttings and may be cultivated as a potted plant until mature enough for planting in a permanent location. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Shovel
- Garden gloves
- Organic compost
- Organic mulch
- Potting soil
- Pruning shears
- Commercial rooting solution
- Flower pots or containers
Instructions
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1
Cut pencil-thick-sized twigs of new growth in late spring after the tree has lost its flowers.
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2
Trim the cuttings into 6 inch to 8 inch lengths. Leave one or two leaves attached to the top of each cutting, stripping away excess leaves.
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3
Place the twigs or cuttings upright in a container. Add 2 to 3 inches of water to the base of the twigs and soak overnight.
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4
Prepare a potting mixture of equal parts peat moss, organic compost and potting soil.
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5
Fill containers or small flower pots with the potting mixture. Styrofoam cups may even be used if you punch a hole in the bottom to provide drainage.
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6
Remove the twigs from the water. Dip in an organic commercial potting solution, following package directions.
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Plant, one cutting per pot, in the soil mixture to a depth of 2 to 3 inches. Gently tamp down the soil to hold the cutting in place. Do not pack down the soil. Water well.
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Place the potted cuttings in a warm and humid location with filtered sunlight. Do not place in the hot sun. Keep the cuttings moist, but not soggy.
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9
Remove the seedlings from the pots and plant in a permanent location when new root growth is established and the cutting shows evidence of new growth.
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Tips & Warnings
Deer enjoy munching on tender, young plants. If needed, fence off with chicken wire to prevent damage.
Pecan seedlings may be grown as a potted plant until the tree is 1 to 2 feet tall. When the tree outgrows its container, it is time to plant in the landscape.
