Description
Picea pungens (Colorado Blue Spruce) Seeds
Zones: 2 to 7.
Native to the Rocky mountains of the United States.
With its dense horizontal branches, symmetrical form and attractive silvery to pale blue needles, the Colorado Blue spruce has a well deserved popularity amongst conifers in landscaping, especially on front lawns and parks. It prefers full sun with moist, well drained soil, but can tolerate a variety of soils. Once established it tolerates wind and can be planted as part of a shelterbelt.
Size: Height 50 to 75 ft; Width 10 to 20 ft.
Germination Instructions
Stratification: The seeds of the Colorado Blue spruce have a shallow dormancy that can be broken with a short stratification period. Provide about 30 days cold, moist stratification at 3° C (37° F) to 5° C (41° F).
- Soak seeds in water for 24 hours.
- Place seeds in sandwich bag(s), optionally with a bit of damp sand or vermiculite to keep moist.
- Place the bag(s) with seeds in refrigerator for about 30 days.
- After the required time take the seeds out of the refrigerator and sow the seeds in pots 1/8 inch deep and cover lightly. Water gently so as not to wash away the seeds. Keep soil moist but not wet.
