| Is is crazy to want to start flowing trees from seed? I'm trying to keep expenses down. I'm also interested in flowering shrubs. I want flowers and/or color all around from early spring til fall. |
| Starting all of your plants from seeds is a very economical way to landscape, but you'll need to invest a lot of time and exercise a great deal of patience when starting trees and shrubs from seed. They don't germinate as readily, or grow as quickly as annuals and perennials, but they can be rewarding in their own ways. Seeds for trees and shrubs might be difficult to purchase, but you can certainly collect them from fruit, nuts, or seedpods produced from mature plants. You can also try propagating plants by taking stem cuttings in the spring or fall months instead of growing everything from seed. In the spring, look for vigorous new growth, cut a 6-8 inch length, strip the leaves off the lower 2-3 inches, dip the end in rooting hormone, and plant in moistened potting soil. The the late summer or early fall, take semi-hard cuttings from current season's growth and treat as above. If you keep your cuttings in a protected area outdoors they will root in a matter of months and you'll brand new plants for your landscape. |
