Oriental Arborvitae (Platycladus orientalis) 10 seeds

Oriental Arborvitae - Platycladus orientalis - 10 seeds

Oriental arborvitae is a coniferous tree from the cypress family (Cupressaceae). It originates from East Asia, specifically from China, Korea, and Japan. Arborvitae is a very resilient and undemanding tree to grow. It can tolerate polluted air, making it a suitable choice for urban environments. Arborvitae is often planted in parks, gardens, and public spaces. It can also be used to create a living hedge, as it can form a dense screen that provides privacy.

Oriental Arborvitae: Plant Appearance Description

Oriental arborvitae is an attractive coniferous tree with a distinctive appearance. It grows to a height of 15 to 25 metres, but its cultivars are often smaller, making them more suitable for landscaping and garden architecture. The crown shape of arborvitae can be conical, pyramidal, or columnar. The branches are straight and strong, which contributes to the tree's upright appearance. The needles are small and flat, meaning they are pressed against the branches. They are evergreen, which means the tree maintains its green appearance throughout the year. Arborvitae produces small round cones that are found at the ends of branches. The cones are relatively small, about 1.5 to 2.5 cm long, and contain seeds. Overall, arborvitae is an elegant and tasteful tree with a dense crown and rich green foliage. Thanks to its attractive appearance and ability to tolerate various soil conditions, it is a popular element of garden and landscape architecture in many parts of the world.

How to Grow Oriental Arborvitae?

1. Seed Stratification (optional): some arborvitae seeds are in a dormant stage and may need stratification, which is a process that promotes germination through cold treatment. Seed stratification is performed by placing the seeds in a moist environment, such as moist sand, and storing them in the refrigerator for 4 to 6 weeks.

2. Substrate Preparation: prepare light and well-draining soil or a seed germination mix. You can use a mixture of peat and perlite or another fine substrate.

3. Sowing Time: the suitable time for sowing is spring or early summer. Fill a container with the prepared substrate and gently press it down to create an even surface.

4. Sowing Seeds: place the seeds on the surface of the substrate. If you have stratified seeds, position them so they are 1 cm below the surface. Then gently cover them with soil.

5. Maintaining Moisture: ensure the soil is moist but not waterlogged. Use a spray bottle or another gentle watering method to avoid damaging the germinating seeds.

6. Germination and Care: arborvitae seeds will germinate within a few weeks. Once the young seedlings have grown, begin gradually acclimating the plants to outdoor conditions. You can transplant them into individual pots or to a chosen location in the garden. Provide the seedlings with sufficient moisture and gradually expose them to more sunlight to acclimate them to outdoor conditions.