PLANT A TREE.
Growing plants from seeds or from cuttings is a great way to give back to Nature, support your local wildlife and improve your wellbeing. Check out our planting guides below for some tips and tricks to get you started.
Tips for Success:
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Labelling: Label your containers with the plant name and date of planting.
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Temperature and Humidity: Maintain consistent temperature and humidity for optimal germination and growth.
Patience: Seeds take varying times to germinate.
Be patient and observe the growth closely.
PLANTING FROM SEED.
To grow a tree or plant from seed, you’ll need:
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Seeds
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Potting soil or homemade compost
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Seed trays or small pots
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Water
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Labels and markers
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1. Choose Your Seeds:
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Before planting it's important to consider which plants or trees are best for you:
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Would you like to grow something for the garden or indoors?
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Do you want a plant that lasts a single season or will continue growing for years to come?
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How much space and light do you have?
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Is it a native species? Will it benefit local wildlife?
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Consider where you will source your seeds. Friends and family may have seeds that you can have or you can purchase seeds at your local gardening center.
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2. Planting:
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Fill seed trays or small pots with potting soil or compost.
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Moisten the soil before planting. It should be damp but not waterlogged.
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If using store-bought seeds, follow the seed packet instructions for planting depth. As a general rule, plant seeds at a depth of about two times their diameter.
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Gently press the seeds into the soil and cover them with a thin layer of soil.
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Water the soil gently to avoid displacing the seeds. Use a spray bottle or a gentle stream of water.
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If you’re planting different varieties, don’t forget to label your seeds.
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3. Caring for your seeds:
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Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy throughout the germination process.
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Place the containers in a warm location. Most seeds germinate best at temperatures between 18-24°C (65-75°F).
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Place the seedlings in a bright location with indirect sunlight.
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If multiple seeds were planted in one container, thin them out once they have a few sets of true leaves (true leaves are the fully developed leaves and are usually the second set of leaves that your seedling makes). This means removing the weaker seedlings to allow the strongest ones to thrive.
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4. Transplanting Seedlings:
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Once the seedlings are large enough to handle and have developed a few sets of true leaves, they can be transplanted into larger pots or directly into the garden.
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If transplanting outdoors, harden off the seedlings first. This involves gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over a week or two to reduce transplant shock.
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Now is a great time to gift your seedlings to friends and family or to sell them to raise donations for TreeSisters!
PROPOGATING A CUTTING.
Taking a cutting from a plant is a great way to propagate new plants. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you successfully take and root a cutting:
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To grow a plant from a cutting, you’ll need:
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A healthy parent plant
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Sharp, sterilised pruning shears or a knife
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Water or potting soil
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Small pots or jars
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1. Choose the Right Time and Plant:
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The best time to take cuttings is during the plant's active growing season, usually in spring or early summer.
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Not all plants make good cuttings so check the species before you cut!
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Select a healthy, disease-free parent plant. For most plants, choose a stem that is semi-ripe (not too young and soft, nor too old and woody).
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2. Prepare the Cutting:
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Using sharp, sterilised pruning shears or a knife, cut a 4-6 inch section of the stem just below a node (the point where leaves attach to the stem). Make sure the cutting has several sets of leaves.
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Remove the leaves from the lower half of the cutting to reduce water loss and to make it easier to plant.
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3. Plant the Cutting:
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To plant the cutting directly into soil:
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fill a small pot or container with potting soil or a suitable growing medium like perlite, vermiculite, or a mix of these with peat moss.
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Make a hole in the soil with a pencil or your finger and insert the cutting into the hole. Firm the soil around the cutting to hold it in place.
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Water the cutting gently to settle the soil around it. Monitor regularly and keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
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After a few weeks, gently tug on the cutting to check for resistance, indicating root growth. Root development time can vary depending on the plant species.
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To grow the cutting in water:
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Allow 24 hours for the stem to dry and harden off where it was cut, this prevents rot from setting in.
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Fill your jars with water and leave them standing while your cuttings harden off. This helps to remove harmful chemicals from the water.
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After 24 hours, place the tip of your cuttings into the water, ensuring the leaves are not submerged.
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Keep water topped up and check your cuttings regularly for signs of rot.
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After a few weeks you should see root growth coming through.
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Place the pots/jars in a warm, bright location with indirect sunlight. Avoid direct sun, as it can scorch the cutting.
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4. Planting on:
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Once the cutting has developed a strong root system, usually after 4-8 weeks, it can be transplanted from its starter pot or jar into a larger pot or directly into the garden.
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Now is a great time to gift your cuttings to friends and family or to sell them to raise donations for TreeSisters!
Tips for Success:
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Sanitise Tools: Always use clean, sterilised tools to prevent the spread of disease.
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Humidity: Maintaining high humidity is crucial for the cutting to prevent it from drying out.
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Patience: Some plants take longer to root than others, so be patient and monitor progress regularly.
We’d love to see how you get on. Share pictures of your seedlings and cuttings with us on social media.
