How to Grow Colorado Blue Spruce
- 1). Collect Colorado blue spruce cones in late fall or early winter with ladders or long poles with hooks. Dry the cones by placing them in a warm, dry area for a few days. You can use a car as a drying chamber if you don't have a greenhouse. Shake out the seeds once the cones open.
- 2). Remove the seed wings by rubbing them carefully with your hands. Store the seeds in a refrigerator for at least two to three months in order for them to germinate. Soak and drain the seeds two to four weeks before planting them and place them back in the refrigerator.
- 3). Select a site for Colorado blue spruce. These trees prefer cold climates and should be planted in areas no warmer than USDA Zone 8. This zone has an average low temperature of about 10 degrees F. They prefer full sun and thrive at elevations around 6,000 and 8,500 feet.
- 4). Plant the seeds in a soil of clean sand, peat moss, perlite and vermiculite. Place them in a quarter-inch of soil and cover the soil with a layer of mulch. Provide the seedlings with partial shade and don't over water them.
- 5). Maintain the seedlings. Colorado blue spruce trees can thrive in a variety of moisture conditions and prefer moderate moisture. The seedlings should grow well as they receive a couple of fertilizer shots during the year and aren't out-competed by weeds.
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