Mulberry trees are a delightful addition to any garden, offering sweet, juicy berries and beautiful foliage. If you’re eager to grow your own mulberry tree from seed, you’re in the right place! In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the entire process, from extracting seeds to nurturing seedlings indoors.
About Mulberry Trees
Mulberry trees, belonging to the genus Morus, are rapidly growing trees that can grow up to 30 to 50 feet in height. Their reputation stems from their sizable, lobed leaves and plentiful harvests of berries that mature from late spring to mid-summer. The berries come in dark purple, red, or white hues based on the type, and besides being tasty, they are loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber. Cultivating a mulberry tree can result in a generous yield and enhance the appearance of your landscape.
Obtaining Mulberry Seeds
In order to propagate mulberry trees from seed, the initial step is removing the seeds from fully ripe berries. Here is the way to accomplish this:
- Gather fully ripe mulberries, typically dark purple or black in color.
- Mix the berries in a blender or food processor with a small quantity of water.
- Mix at a slow pace for approximately half a minute to crush the fruit and let out the seeds.
- Filter the Mixture: Pass the blended mixture through a fine mesh strainer, washing the seeds under running water to remove them from the pulp.
- Dry the seeds by placing them on a paper towel or coffee filter and allowing them to air dry for 2-3 days.
- After they are dry, store them in a sealed container in the fridge until you are prepared to sow them.
Watch: How to Collect Mulberry Seeds from Fresh Fruits🌱
Optimal Timing to Begin Indoors
The best time to begin germinating mulberry seeds indoors is towards the end of winter or the beginning of spring, around 6-8 weeks prior to your final anticipated frost day.
This timing enables your seedlings to develop their strength prior to being planted outside.
Sowing mulberry seeds
When you are prepared to start planting, adhere to these instructions:
Get your containers ready: Fill a pot with a seed starting mix that drains well.
Plant the Seeds: Plant the mulberry seeds 1/4 inch deep, then cover them with soil and lightly sprinkle some water over the soil.
Keep the pot covered with plastic wrap or a dome lid to retain moisture. Put them in a cozy spot, preferably with temperatures ranging from 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Monitor every 2 days: Ensure the soil remains consistently damp without becoming waterlogged. Usually, germination happens in a span of 14-28 days.
Nurturing Young Mulberry Seedlings
When your seeds begin to grow, it's important to start taking care of your new plants!
Give light: Take off the plastic cover and place the trays in a sunny window or under grow lights. Mulberry seedlings require a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight each day.
Water the soil so that it stays damp without becoming too wet.
Fertilize your seedlings every other week with a weakened liquid fertilizer to promote strong growth.
Moving seedlings to bigger pots as they grow will give their root systems more space.
Watch: How to Grow Mulberries from Seed Indoors 🌱
Transitioning plants from indoors to outdoors and planting them in the ground
Prior to transferring your mulberry seedlings outside, you must acclimate them to the outdoor conditions.
Gradual Exposure: Over a period of 7-10 days, acclimate your seedlings to outdoor conditions by spending a few hours outside each day, progressively extending the duration.
Select the correct location: Plant your seedlings outside once they have acclimated and the risk of frost has vanished. Choose a sunny spot with soil that drains well.
Planting instructions: Make a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball and of equal depth. Plant your trees with a distance of 20-30 feet between them to accommodate their eventual growth.
After planting, make sure to water generously and spread 2-3 inches of mulch at the bottom to keep the soil moist.
Conclusion
Raising mulberry trees from seed is a satisfying project that can produce tasty fruit for many years. By giving your mulberry seedlings the necessary care and attention, they will flourish and grow into a stunning and fruitful addition to your garden. Collect your seeds, proceed with these instructions, and prepare to reap the rewards of your hard work!
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