How to plant hawthorn seeds? Detailed guide to growing them in small pots

At the mention of hawthorn, presumably many people are familiar with it. It is not only eaten in many ways but also highly nutritious, and very popular. Most importantly, the leftover pits can be grown into small potted plants. So how do you plant hawthorn seeds in small pots?

1. Seed collection and handling

Hawthorn seeds are very easy to collect. In autumn, many hawthorns are sold in the market. When you buy them and eat them, simply keep the leftover seeds, wash them, and dry them in the sun. Then wrap them in a kraft paper bag. After winter arrives, place them outside the window for low-temperature storage, and then they can be planted in early spring.

2. Seed germination treatment

Because hawthorn seeds have a hard outer coat, they need germination treatment. Soak the seeds in warm water overnight, then take them out and place them in a strongly lit spot to sun them for 2-3 hours, then soak them in warm water again, then sun them again. Repeat this process until the seed coat cracks, or directly tap the seed coat gently with a small hammer to crack it before planting.

3. Choosing potting soil and containers

Hawthorn trees are not strict about soil choice, but they prefer slightly sandy soil. We can mix sand, garden soil, and leaf mold in a 2:2:1 ratio, choose a pot you like, and then plant the seeds in the flower soil. Do not plant too deep; covering the seeds by 2 cm is appropriate. Then place it in a warm and humid place and keep the potting soil moist. Generally, they will sprout in about a week. When 4 leaves have grown, they can be transplanted into new pots, with 1-2 plants per pot being appropriate.

4. Light and temperature control

Hawthorn trees like an environment with sufficient light, so they can be placed on a south-facing balcony. If the light is not especially intense, no shading treatment is needed; after winter arrives, hawthorn trees enter a dormant state and their leaves all fall off. At this time, as long as the temperature is kept above 0°C, they can safely overwinter.

5. Water and fertilizer supply

Hawthorn trees do not like water. During usual care, the potting soil can be kept slightly dry. The best watering method is to water when dry and stop when wet. If the summer weather is especially dry, the watering frequency can be appropriately increased; hawthorn trees like light fertilizer. Apply a compound fertilizer with a higher nitrogen ratio once in early spring, and once the flowering and fruiting stage begins, apply a compound fertilizer with a higher phosphorus and potassium content.