Serbian Spruce (Picea Omorika) 20 seeds (#768)

The Serbian spruce is an elegant evergreen tree that is among the most tolerant of summer heat and boasts a tall, lean, conical habit with upwardly curving branches. It is a native of Serbia and Bosnia where it exists at high elevations along regional mountain ridges and favors calcareous soils.
The needles of Serbian spruce are flattened, shiny and dark green. Each has two white bands on the underside, which gives the tree an overall silvery-green effect that is especially noticeable when the light catches the branches. The spry branches are relatively short, angle downward and then gracefully curve upward like an eyelash. Each spring, both male and female cones appear on the tree, but only the latter persist. These attractive, pendant, female cones are cinnamon brown and mature in late fall.
Grow Serbian spruce in full sun and neutral to alkaline soil that is rich and friable but has good drainage. It is a slow to medium growing spruce, so it best used as a specimen tree. It is well suited to urban parks and large tree islands because of its exceptional tolerance to air pollution.

Genus - Picea
Species - Omorika
Common name - Serbian Spruce
Pre-Treatment - Not-required, but recommended
Hardiness zones - 4 - 7
Height - 17 - 25 m
Spread - 3 - 8 m
Plant type - Tree
Vegetation type - Evergreen
Exposure - Full Sun
Growth rate - Medium
Soil PH - Neutral, alkaline
Soil type - Clay, loom
Water requirements - Average water, well drained
Landscape uses - Feature Plant, Screening / Wind Break

GERMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
1. Soak the seeds in room temperature water overnight. Seeds can be sown directly (skip to 3) in pots or after stratification.
2. Keep the seeds in refrigerated, soil-filled zip-lock bags for 2-3 months after the initial soaking, a process that mimics the natural dormancy period they would experience during winter months in the wild. Some experts recommend this method, and others say seeds may be planted immediately after soaking. If soaked seeds are not kept in soil, they may be refrigerated for up to 14 days before use.
3. Place a 7 cm (3") layer of dry soil, such as peat moss or clean sand, in a small vase. Bury spruce seeds 5 mm (1/4") below soil. Cover soil with mulch layer. Keep the vase in a partially shaded place. Water occasionally, so that the soil is always slightly moist.
4. Seed will sprout in three to eight weeks. For one year, keep seedling in partially shaded place. Water occasionally, so that the soil is slightly moist.
5. After one year, transfer the seedling to a gallon-sized vase or larger, maintaining a balance of dry, clean soil and mulch. The seedling may now be kept in full sun. Continue watering occasionally, so that soil is slightly moist. (info source: eHow.com)