A different kind of tree post, this time! Ghaqda Sigar Malta have released a video explaining to those green-finger locals how to grow their very own Aleppo Pine Trees, a tree native to the Mediterranean region.

The organisation shares basic tips on how to grow Aleppo Pine Trees (is-sigra taz-Znuber) from seeds of existing trees. “This process should be carried out between April and May or between September and October,” Ghaqda Sigar Maltin say.

They head to Saqajja which is a place abundant with this type of tree, in search for the prinjol – the fruit of the tree that produces the seeds. “It’s important to identify the correct pine cone, since not everything is ready for picking,” they note.

Ghaqda Sigar Maltin explain that the open cones are those from the past season, so the seeds would have already dispersed, and the closed green ones are not quite ready to greet the world as yet, and need a little more time.

The cones that are suitable for picking are the closed brown ones, which would have hundreds of seeds at the ready. “You don’t need to cut lots of cones,” they say. So, two to three cones should do just the trick.

The organisation shares the easiest method to obtain the seeds: popping them in the oven! This will allow the cones to open up gently to reveal the seeds. Tap the cone, fill up your pot with compost and add two to three seeds in, to have a better chance of survival. Every two to three days, top up the pot to keep the soil humid and after three weeks, signs of germination should be visible.

Watch the full video here:

Will you be growing a tree?