Growing a Family Holly Tree

There are few things that say "Christmas" like a sprig of holly. Its glossy green leaves and vibrant red berries give us the color scheme for modern winter celebrations. This plant comes in several varieties including small holly bushes that do not surpass a foot in height to holly trees that can grow as tall as 70 feet in height. If you are looking for holiday project that you will be able to turn into a family heirloom then consider growing a holly tree.

What You Will Need

• Holly berries
• Peat pot
• Margarine dish with lid
• Sand
• Watering can
• Acidic planting soil
• Coffee grounds
• Large paintable planter
• Acrylic paints
• Clear polyurethane

Step #1 - Harvest Holly Berries

The first step for this project is to head out into the woods and find a holly tree that has ripe berries. This plant typically produces berries in the fall, and they will remain viable through the early part of winter. If you can find a holly tree you can just pick some berries to harvest seeds from. If you cannot find a holly tree to get berries from you can order the seeds online.

Step #2 - Stratify Your Holly Seeds

The holly tree has a complex growing cycle. In order for its seeds to germinate they need to be stratified. Stratification is a process that keeps the seed in a dormant stage for a specified amount of time. For holly seeds a year of seed stratification is required. Once you have removed the seeds from the holly berry pulp you will want to place them into a margarine dish that has one inch of moist sand lining the bottom of the dish. Then cover the seeds with two inches of moist sand. Place the lid on the container and sit the seeds in your refrigerator for a year. That's right a year. Check the container every now and then to see if the sand is still moist.

Step #3 - Germinate Your Holly Seeds

After a year of rest your seeds will be ready for germination. To germinate your seeds you will want to take them out of your refrigerator in the spring and plant then in a peat pot that is filled with soil. Set the peat pots under a growing lamp and wait for the seedlings to sprout.

Step #4 - Design Your Holly Jolly Planter

In this step you will be painting a design on the planter where your holly bush or holly tree will spend most of its life. You can let the kids do this. Use holiday stencils or freehand the design. Markers also work well if you apply a base coat of paint to the pot first. After the kids are done decorating the planter seal it with a coat of clear polyurethane.

Step #5 - Plant Your Holly Tree/Bush in the Planter

The next step is to plant your holly tree or bush in the planter you just painted. You will want to start by adding an inch or two of crushed rock to the bottom of the planter. Then add in a third of a bag of garden soil. Mix into this soil a layer that is about one inch deep of coffee grounds. Place your holly seedling in the center of the dirt and fill in the rest of the pot. Press the soil gently around the seedling to provide it with a solid support system.

Step #6 - Caring for Your Family Holly Bush

Holly bushes don't require a lot of fuss. You just need to give them plenty of sun, water and a dose of fertilizer once a year. You can also prune your holly bush in late fall or early winter to shape it and to keep its size manageable. As each holiday season passes you will be able to see how your family holly tree grows and evolves. You can use it as a holiday centerpiece or as a holiday decoration. You can even pass it on to your kids with they are ready to start their own families.

References

http://www.beginner-gardening.com/growing-holly.html

http://www.gardenweb.com/sesbania/strat.html