Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas Fir) seeds

Graceful conifer, native to North America and now widely grown throughout Europe for its high quality timber and for Christmas trees. Needles are dark green or blue-green with very good needle retention and one of sweetest fragrances of all the Christmas trees. A distinctive feature of the Douglas Fir are its unusual, downward hanging cones, a rarity among conifers. A lovely specimen tree for a large garden and an easy, reliable tree for home grown Christmas trees.

Hardy Tree
Height: 3m (10 yrs), 25m when mature
Position: Sun or light shade & moist, well-drained soil

Packet of 10 seeds

GROWING GUIDE

These seeds have a shallow dormancy and need a period of cold treatment before they will germinate.  This can be done outdoors over winter or indoors at any time of year.

• Mix compost 50:50 with vermiculite or perlite, then water until just moist.
• Sow seeds thinly on the surface and cover with a sprinkling of compost, vermiculite or perlite, then seal inside a polythene bag.

Outdoors - October to January

• Place pots in a sheltered spot, coldframe or unheated greenhouse and cover with a clear bag or glass to keep the critters out.
• Check regularly to make sure the compost does not dry out.
• The seedlings will emerge in spring when the weather warms up.

Indoors - Anytime

• Place pots in the fridge for 6 weeks.
• Check regularly to make sure the compost does not dry out.
• After 6 weeks, move to 18-21C on a windowsill or in a propagator.
• Germination can be slow and erratic and may take a few months.
• When the seedlings emerge, increase ventilation by opening the bag or propagator vents.
• When they are large enough to handle, transplant into 7-9cm pots and grow on, repotting as needed.
• Indoor grown seedlings can be moved outside in spring once all risk of frost has passed. Gradually acclimatise them to outdoor conditions by placing them outdoors during the day for a week or so.
• When mature enough, plant out in the garden in their final position.