How to plant Balsam Fir trees from seed?

Question

I have some Balsam fir pinecones and would like to plant them. I know nothing of this subject, but would like to try. Any advice would be helpful. When to plant? Start outside or in? Temp? I live in Northwest Indiana and have sandy soil.

Answer 1

Open the cones and the seed will be very fine winged seed. Once you have done this, put them into a ziplock bag and place into the crisper of your refrigerator. You will need to leave them there for a minimum of 90 days to stratify them. I would suggest just leaving them there until spring. About late March or early April, sow them very shallow in a row of your garden or plant bed. I suggest a thin layer of mulch or Canadian peat moss. Make sure that they stay evenly moist-- that is if it doesn't rain, you may need to do some supplemental watering from time to time. Seedlings will come up the first year. You will want to leave them in the bed until the following season then transplant to space them. Fir from seed may take up to 4 or 5 years to get to a 12-15" seedling/ transplant.
Good luck.

Answer 2

Balsam Fir Seeds

Answer 3

Put the cones in separate paper bags and put them outside somewhere where they will stay dry but will get the cold of the winter. It needs the cold for seed stratification--so they will germinate. Some people say in the refridgerator or freezer but who wants dirty cones in your fridge or freezer all winter when nature provides exactly what the seeds need. The reason you want to keep them dry is to reduce the chance of rotting.

In the spring carefully remove the seeds from the scales of the cones with tweezers if the don't just fall out on their own. Plant them in an area where they can grow to a foot high or so. Then take the best ones and transplant them to where you want them. If you use a transplant solution you'll reduce the chance of root shock.

Answer 4

you put the seeds in the mud dummy