Sowing Seeds.docx

Sowing Seeds Plant seeds immediately after harvesting. Sow 1/2 inch deep in 4-inchwide pots filled within 1/2 inch of the top edge with a well-draining potting soil mix. Place the seed container in bright, indirect light in a warm location between 80 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Water the potting mix well and keep it slightly moist until germination occurs, generally in 24 to 50 days from sowing.

Growing Seedlings Don't allow the seedlings to become rootbound. Unpot a seedling to see that roots extend to the sides of the 4-inch pot but aren't yet curling around the sides and base of the pot. Transplant the young trees into 10-inch-wide pots, and grow them until they have a stem diameter of about 1/4 inch, which may take four months. In frost-free areas, grow the transplanted seedlings outdoors in partial sunlight. When they reach the desired stem size, over the course of about a month, work the trees into progressively greater sunlight until they're in full sun. Then plant them into the ground. In frost-free areas, set them out at any time. In areas that experience cold winters, keep the seedlings as container plants, transplanting them into larger containers with drainage holes as they grow. This allows moving the tree indoors in colder weather.

Soil, Soil and Spacing Plant Indian gooseberry in full sun. This tree tolerates a wide variety of well-draining soil types, from sandy loam to clay, and prefers a soil pH of 5.5 to 8.0. Before planting, dig in about a 2-inch-deep layer of a combination of well-aged manure and compost. The trees normally grow to 59 feet tall but can reach 100 feet tall. Space at least 25 feet away from nearby structures or other trees. Trees normally lose some leaves immediately after planting, but new leaves form as the trees establish.

Water Requirements Water Indian gooseberry regularly during the first year or two it is in place. Don't keep the soil constantly wet. After the tree is established, it is fairly drought-tolerant. Water it during spring and summer while it is growing, flowering and fruiting if there is no rain. If you flood or basin irrigate, water every 15 to 30 days, and if sprinkler-irrigating, every week. Usually irrigation isn't needed during fall and winter.

Feeding the Tree Fertilize the tree with 1 to 1 1/2 ounces of actual nitrogen for every year of the tree's age. Give half of the amount after fruit has set and the other half four months later. If you're using a 12-12-12 fertilizer on a 1-year-old tree, divide 1 ounce by the percentage of nitrogen, or 12, to equal 8 ounces, which would be about 4 ounces per application.