The strawberry tree is a beautiful evergreen tree that, in addition to looking pretty all year round, produces edible fruits that are delicious. But when we eat one and see the seeds, we may want to sow them, which, we are not going to fool ourselves, is more complicated than it seems.
As it has a fairly slow growth rate, you have to be very aware of it so that the fungi do not harm it. So let's see how the fruit of the strawberry tree is sown and what can we do to try to avoid those problems.
First phase - Seed stratification
The strawberry tree, whose scientific name is Arbutus unedo, is a tree native to the Mediterranean region that needs to be cold in winter in order to germinate. For this, what is done is, after having cleaned the seeds with water and a few drops of dishwasher, stratify them for 2 or maximum 3 months in the refrigerator at the end of autumn following this step by step:
- First, a tupperware -with a separate lid- is filled with vermiculite (you can buy it here) and moistened with water.
- Second, the seeds are placed on the surface and sulfur is sprinkled to prevent the appearance of fungi.
- Third, it is sprayed with water.
- Fourth, once a week the lid is opened so that the air can be renewed, and to check the vermiculite does not run out of moisture.
Second phase - Sowing in seedbed
Once the 2-3 months have passed, it is time to sow the seeds in a seedbed. As such you can use a conventional flowerpot, a seedling tray, milk containers or yogurt glasses previously cleaned and with holes (they can be made with a knife or sewing scissors). The step by step to follow is the following:
- First, the seedbed must be filled with universal growing substrate (you can buy it here).
- Afterwards, it is watered and the seeds are placed on the surface. Avoid not putting many in the same seedbed, since otherwise later you could have difficulties in transplantation. In fact, to give us an idea of how many fit, the ideal is not to put more than 3 in a 10,5cm diameter pot.
- They are then covered with a thin layer of substrate and sprinkled with sulfur.
- Finally, the surface of the substrate is sprayed until it is very wet.
Then, it will remain to be spraying every 7-14 days with fungicide (like this one from No products found.) and go watering so that the substrate does not lose moisture.
So, if all goes well, the seeds of the strawberry tree will germinate in 1-2 months.
Do you dare to grow strawberry trees?
The seed thing I have already decided not to.
Can it be done by cuttings?
Hello Lola.
Yes, it can be multiplied by semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer. Impregnate the base with homemade rooting agents, use a very porous substrate (vermiculite is recommended, as it also retains moisture), and place them in semi-shade.
Luck!
It is not necessary to heat the seeds before sowing them in the seedbed?
Hello Agustin.
In the case of the strawberry tree, no, it is not necessary.
Greetings.
After a few months with the seeds in the refrigerator, on a moistened kitchen paper, they have germinated, but a question arises if someone can answer me:
I have transplanted 3 germinated seeds into a small pot as indicated but I would like to know if I should have them indoors or outdoors, I must indicate that I am from Salamanca and here the winter is not over yet.
Thanks in advance
Hello Orestes.
It is better to have them outside, and more so when it comes to trees originating in temperate regions as is the case.
Of course, put them in semi-shade, since otherwise the sun would burn them. And if you have copper powder, add a little to the substrate to avoid fungus; If you don't have it, the cinnamon will do the same.
Regards!
Hi carlos.
The magnolia does not like too hot climates. Ideally, in summer it should not rise above 30ºC, and if it does, the tree should be in semi-shade.
My advice is that, if you can, move it to a place where it is not directly exposed to the sun. But if that is not possible, have you thought about planting trees around it to shade it? Maybe a Cercis siliquastrum or hackberry.
Greetings.
Can the seeds be sown directly in a pot? Thanks
Can the seeds be sown directly in a pot? Thanks
Hello Lola.
Yeah sure. But it is advisable not to put more than two seeds in each container.
Regards!