Give your tree seedling the best chance to grow into a healthy tree that will help to clean the air, just follow these simple steps below (or down load a pdf version):
1. Register your tree
- If you haven't done this already please use your tree code and register your tree. Use the "Register your tree" box in the side column...
- You can give your tree a name, place it on a map, and see where we plant all the other trees.
- You plant one, we plant one - for every Clean Air Tree Kit we sell we plant another tree in a developing country.
- So register your tree today!
2. Arranging all the parts
- Place the growing pot into one half of the white globe (or use a small bowl).
- Place your tree kit's growing pellet into the bottom of the pot, with the seeds on top.
- Depending on the species, some tree seeds are tiny and stuck to the pellet with biodegradable glue so you may not be able to see them.
3. Add water
- Gradually pour 70 ml of water onto the growing pellet and wait for it to expand.
- Use the other half of the white globe to measure and pour the water, it holds about 70ml so it's perfect!
- Ensure the seeds are covered by using a fork or pencil to gently brush the surface of the expanded pellet.
- Be careful not to over-water.
4. Cover until it sprouts
- Place one half of the white globe over the pot, but don't close it completely.
- Keep in a warm spot until it sprouts (about 2 – 4 weeks).
- Your tree shouldn't need any more water during this period, but check it every 3 to 4 days to make sure it hasn't dried out. If it has dried out add a very small amount of water (20ml) and then cover again.
While you wait...
- Find out more about your tree species and all the benefits it will bring.
- Give your tree a name, add a message to it's tree page and share it with your friends.
- Read our blog and help to spread the word.
5. Daily care once sprouted
- When your seeds have sprouted you will see one or a few little green needles poking out from the soil.
- Remove the top half of the globe and place your seedling somewhere with lots of sunlight for upto 12 weeks depending on how quickly it grows.
- Check every day to ensure it does dry out. Once it started growing faster it will probably need a little water everyday. So when you see the top soil start to dry add around 10ml of water.
- Be careful: Like any new baby creature your baby tree is very fragile! Don't give it too much direct sunshine, or too much water as this will harm your tree.
TIP:
A harmless mold can occur if the sprouting seedling is kept in the dark due to lack of sun light. Make sure you remove the covering globe and place in a well lit location. If the mould does occur just scratch it of with a fork or knife (kids get permission first!)
6. Ready to plant
- You can plant your tree in a pot and keep it inside, or directly in the garden. If you want to plant your tree somewhere else then check out our Local Forest campaign.
- Your tree seedling is ready to plant when it is 6cm to 9cm tall (about 8 to 12 weeks old, provided you have given it the right amount of sun and water).
- You can keep your tree in its original growing pot, no need to take it out. Just make sure that the new soil is deep enough to cover the growing pot completely.
- Water well daily for two weeks, then as needed as it grows into a tree and helps to clean the air!
- Your tree may require fertilizer food, which you can buy from most garden centers.
- Don't plant it outside if their is risk of frost, keep it in a pot inside your warm home.
- Plant in area where the ground isn’t too compact and there’s a good source of water all year round.
7. Put your tree on the map
- You've registered your tree, grown your tree, given it a name and shared it with all your friends.
- Now you can tell us where you have planted it!
- Just login, select your tree and locate it with our mapping tool.
- Remember you can also see where we plant all the other trees too.
8. Tree Help
- If your tree doesn't grow, and you don't see any seedlings sprout after 4 weeks, please contact us immediately: info@wcafi.org
- Don't throw your growing pot and pellet away! Sometimes seeds don't work, but you can always get some more. Contact us here for more details: info@wcafi.org