How to Plant a Yoshino Cherry Tree from Seed

If you’re a cherry blossom lover, then planting a Yoshino cherry tree is a great way to enhance your garden’s beauty. While you can buy a sapling at a nursery, it can be even more rewarding to grow a beautiful tree from a seed. Here are the steps to successfully plant a Yoshino cherry tree from seed.

Step 1: Gather Seeds

The first step is to collect a few seeds from a mature Yoshino cherry tree in late autumn, when the fruit falls to the ground. Once the fruit has fallen, find and remove the small, almond-shaped seeds from the flesh of the fruit. Rinse them in water and let them dry for 24 hours before planting.

Step 2: Prepare the Soil

Choose a well-drained planting spot that gets full sun or partial shade. Remove any grass or weeds from the area and add a layer of compost to the soil to enrich it. Yoshino cherry trees thrive in slightly acid soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5. You can test the soil’s pH level with a kit from a garden store.

Step 3: Plant the Seeds

Plant the seeds about a half-inch deep, spaced a few inches apart, and water lightly. Cover the seeds with a layer of mulch to keep the soil moist and protect against temperature fluctuations. Make sure to water the soil regularly, but be careful not to overwater, as it may cause the seeds to rot.

Step 4: Care for the Seedlings

It takes about four to six weeks for the seeds to germinate. When the seedlings start to grow, remove any weaker plants and leave the strongest, healthiest ones to thrive. Keep the soil moist, but again, be careful not to overwater. Fertilize the seedlings once a month with a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer, starting in spring and continuing through summer.

Step 5: Transplant the Seedlings

Once the seedlings are about six to eight inches tall, you can transplant them into a larger pot or directly into the ground. Make sure to choose a spot with enough space for the tree to grow. Water the tree generously after planting, and continue watering it regularly during its first year of growth.

Conclusion

Planting a Yoshino cherry tree from seed can be a rewarding experience, and with the right care, your tree can grow into a beautiful addition to your backyard or garden. Remember to be patient, as it can take several years before the tree starts to bloom. However, with a little effort and a lot of love, you’ll soon have a gorgeous cherry blossom tree to enjoy for years to come.