As inconspicuous as they may look, birch seeds achieve an impressive feat every year. The winged birch seeds colonize even barren fallow land in literally no time. As a result, the tree with its delicate shape becomes a robust pioneer plant that can withstand even the most inhospitable conditions and promotes propagation energetically.
How to grow a birch tree from seeds?
Birch seeds are winged nuts that are spread by the wind. They germinate in about 14 days and can be self-collected or purchased to grow a birch tree from seed. For this you need potting soil, brightness, moisture and a little patience.
This is what the birch seeds look like
The seeds of the birch tree are cleverly protected and prepared for distribution in small, winged nuts that are only up to three millimeters long. The tiny wings allow the brownish nuts to be transported over long distances using the force of the wind. As pioneer plants, birches in the wild rely on rapid and efficient reproduction: That's why the seeds germinate after about fourteen days.
When can the seeds be found?
If you want to discover and recognize birch seeds, you have plenty of opportunities to do so in autumn and winter. Because during this time the wingnuts stop at almost nothing. They ripened in advance from July to October, well protected in the typical hanging fruit clusters of the birch. This is preceded by pollination, which is also initiated by the wind. Between March and May, the intensely released pollen fertilizes the young birch catkins. Pollen allergy sufferers can tell exactly when the birch tree begins to bloom based on their symptoms.
Growing birch from seeds
Unlike many other valuable components of the picturesque trees - such as the birch leaves or birch buds - their seeds are not necessarily suitable for consumption or to derive any cosmetic benefit from. However, you can use birch seeds you have collected or purchased to grow a birch tree on your own. With a professional approach and a few tools, you can easily bring a new tree into life. This approach is also the ideal start for lovers of an expressive bonsai birch tree to accompany their own tree from a young age. It works like this:
- Pour potting soil (€6.00 on Amazon) into a small pot or bowl.
- You can place some small stones or a grid at the bottom of the container for better drainage (draining away excess water).
- Then loosely add the birch seeds.
- Then cover the seeds with a layer of soil about two to three centimeters high.
- Now position your breeding pot in as bright a place as possible.
- Birches need a lot of light, but direct sunlight should be avoided. It could burn the tender leaves and cause the substrate to dry out prematurely.
- Keep the substrate constantly moist, but not wet.
- Now wait two to four weeks while the seeds begin to germinate.
- Once the sprouting seedlings have grown at least 15 to 20 centimeters high, you can transplant the small birch trees into nutrient-rich soil and watch them thrive.
