With its rustic shape and large cones, the Andean fir looks particularly appealing. No wonder the beautiful tree is also known as the ornamental fir. You can use the seeds of the plant for propagation or eat them. This is what sets them apart.
How to germinate Andean fir seeds?
The seeds of the Andean fir are brown, 4 cm long and contained in the cones. They mature over several years, and the tree only develops seed-bearing cones after about 12 years. To germinate them, they must be subjected to cold treatment before being grown in a sand-soil mixture.
What do Andean fir seeds look like?
The seeds of the Andean fir arebrown, heavy and somewhat4 cm long. The seeds of this rare tree ripen in the cones of the Andean fir tree, also known as araucaria. Since it is not possible to propagate the Andean fir through cuttings, the seeds and precise knowledge of their properties are of particular importance.
When do the seeds grow on the Andean fir?
The seeds ripen in the cones over a period ofseveral years A young plant initially bears neither flowers nor seeds. Flowers only form on the Andean fir after almost two years. It takes another ten years and good care until cones with seeds grow on the Andean fir. The tree from Chile takes many years until the first seeds grow on it.
How do I germinate Andean fir seeds?
The seeds of the Andean fir only become germinable when they are exposed to thecold. Keep in mind that in the homeland of the Andean fir, cold temperatures prevail at night. If you want to germinate the seeds, sowing them in autumn is possible. You can also stratify the seeds artificially. Proceed as follows:
- Fill freezer bags with moist sand.
- Put Andean fir seeds in the bag.
- Place the bag in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator for several weeks.
How to grow Andean fir seeds?
Grow the Andean fir seeds in asand-soil mixtureinlight. You can make the mixture of potting soil and sand yourself. These are light germinators. That's why you should stick the Andean fir seeds with the tip down in the substrate but not cover them completely with soil. Always keep the substrate slightly moist. The temperatures during cultivation can fluctuate, but should not fall below 5°C.
Are Andean fir seeds edible?
Andean fir seeds arenon-toxicandedible. You can use these in a similar way to pine nuts. However, keep in mind that the seeds of this rare tree take many years to mature. In this respect, the Araucaria offers you very valuable seeds.
Tip
Buy seeds in garden shops
You can also buy Andean fir seeds from specialist garden shops (€5.00 on Amazon). Since the tree takes many years to produce seeds, this gives you quicker access. Some suppliers may even offer you stratified seeds.
