Growing Joshua Trees from Seeds, Years 8-9

[@todreamawake]

I just got back from my first visit to Joshua tree and wanted to learn more about these amazing plants. Thank you for making these incredible videos!! I’m so glad Josh is doing well.

[@gregorygomes7511]

Thank you for all the time you have put into this! I'm looking forward to more updates!

[@mookzmom]

So cool to see your success after all your patient work. ❤❤❤

[@TheMelvinWei]

Thanks Pam!

[@adro2376]

Love the moment I go to check if Melvin uploaded an update and I missed the last one!! Best series!!

[@TheMelvinWei]

Thank you!

[@lita7657]

If this tree were your kid, it would be getting ready to go to college, given how smart its dad is ;-)

[@TheMelvinWei]

😂

[@husch05]

I love how its trunk looks at the bottom! After you transplanted it, the top of the main roots started to get exposed with time, it looks so impressive. I wonder when it might start to bloom?

[@TheMelvinWei]

Probably not for many years, but it does seem to be growing exponentially faster these days.

[@nortonismybroiluvu4realnestea1]

Well Melvin, Happy 9'th Joshua tree birthday

[@TheMelvinWei]

Thank you!

[@Zionlion226]

I’ve been growing one Joshua tree, in the Midwest, for 4 years and another one for 3 years. They do surprisingly well here actually. The 4 year old tree actually had 3-4 offshoots during year two while my 3 year old tree has not had any. It seems to be growing a lot better than the 4 year old tree. Curious to see what happens this summer. Always look forward to your Joshua tree videos. Thanks for all of the detailed info over the years!

[@TheMelvinWei]

Wow offshoots so soon? How tall are your Joshua trees?

[@Zionlion226]

@@TheMelvinWeiyea that’s what I thought as well! They’re are both only about 8 inches tall.

[@Yamniski-373]

I visited Joshua Tree National Park a few weeks ago and bought a joshua tree seed growing kit from a gift shop. So I went on KZbin to look at videos on propagating these trees. I found your video and followed the instructions, and now the first leaves are poking out on mine. I watched all of your videos of your Joshua tree, and can’t wait for mine to grow like yours!

[@TheMelvinWei]

I wish you well on your Joshua tree growing journey!

[@Yamniski-373]

@@TheMelvinWei Thank you!

[@Glitch-hw1pt]

Loving this! was wondering if there is soon going to be an update on the pomegranate tree? Growing one myself (about to reach the 1 year mark) and I love to see the progress!

[@TheMelvinWei]

No, I got rid of the pomegranate bush a few years ago.

[@jasonsokolow917]

What soil do you use? Love the series!

[@michael.knight]

Great looking Joshua Tree. The Sony footage looks good, but maybe could do with a little more image stabilization (post processing)? It's a little jittery at times

[@TheMelvinWei]

I just tried filming some clips with 60 frames per second at 4k resolution, the phone offers image stabilization at 60 fps instead of 120 fps. It makes a big difference. For other aspects such as HDR I will have to play around and find out by trial and error what works best. It's a lot more complicated/user unfriendly than flagship phones from the major players in the smartphone world.

[@blackkennedy3966]

What kinda soil do you grow them in? You think compost mixed with sand and perlite would work well?

[@michael.knight]

Maybe the depth of the roots is relative? What is the bottom of the pot is still relatively low for soil in the desert? Just an idea

[@TheMelvinWei]

That's possible, but if I were to uncoil the roots in the root ball shown during the transplant, it would have gone really deep. I think most plants just send roots to where the water is. I wouldn't be surprised if Joshua trees send their taproots deep in places with an accessible water table deep underground.

[@Dean-yy9ki]

Native plants always grow the best

[@TheMelvinWei]

It's no coincidence that a Southern Californian succulent lasted the longest among all the fruit trees and other plants I've grown.

[@obant]

@@TheMelvinWei I used to sell very small succulent terrariums at L.A. farmer's markets. When I stopped, I threw the extra stock and terrariums I had already made in the backyard. 6 years later, rarely ever watering or taking care of them and a move up to the high desert and they are still thriving.

[@jasonsokolow917]

Any tips for how to repel spiders and other insects from my Joshua tree? It is about 14 inches tall and spiders and other little insects love to hide in it and make webs.

[@TheMelvinWei]

I have the same problem. When I prune the dead blades I use them to clear out the webs and other detritus. Hosing the foliage from all angles with strong jets of water helps too.

[@dannyreyes5973]

Hi Melvin. Been watching your videos on this tree for years. I have a Joshua Tree that I’ve been growing from seed for going on 6 years now. Mines about 1/4 that size of yours. I’m convinced it’s due to the soil choice. What soil do you recommend?

[@TheMelvinWei]

Only 1/4th the size?! Do you get full sun? What are you growing yours in? I started off in potting mix (a terrible choice) and honestly that can work in a small pot once a root ball forms but I would recommend something with good aeration and drainage with a low rate of decay. Since yours in 6 years old, the factors after getting full sun would be the growing medium and fertilization. You can try something such as coco coir or real dirt with a lot of sand or other spacer materials mixed in for extra drainage.

[@dannyreyes5973]

@@TheMelvinWei About a year ago I moved it to a full sun area on top of my roof deck. I’m in Orange County so we get good amount of sun. I have it in some Miracle Grow soil specific to cactus but just now purchased some Bonsai Succulent and Cactus Soil - Jacks Gritty Mix from Amazon. Seems to have great drainage so will give that a try. Going to try the miracle grow food with the epson salt like you did. Thanks for the help.

[@TheMelvinWei]

Has it been in the same Miracle Gro potting mix for the entire 6 years? It seems like potting mix degrades and becomes a black fine sludge after the initial year of use and then nothing grows well in it. Potting mix is intended to be an annual product, or at least that's one theory I heard. Swapping it out for fresh growing medium could be key.

[@jasonsokolow917]

How often do you water this guy? Just got my own about 14 inches tall.

[@TheMelvinWei]

Josh drinks up all the water quickly, even most of what's in the internal reservoir of the pot, but I know it is supposed to be very drought tolerant. Once or twice a month seems fine. Once the root system was strong and established, it didn't seem to matter if I overwatered or not.

[@jasonsokolow917]

@@TheMelvinWei thank you! What soil mixture do you use?

[@TheMelvinWei]

@@jasonsokolow917 In the current and previous pot, coco coir.

[@jasonsokolow917]

@@TheMelvinWei just coco choir? What do you use for nutrients then?

[@TheMelvinWei]

@@jasonsokolow917 Miracle Gro + Epsom salt + crushed vitamins (for calcium & trace metals).

[@codiejcollins]

Hi there! I’ve currently got a decent sized JT and recently transplanted it from my home to our new home.. long story! BUT it’s not showing any signs of new growth and the leaves/swords are showing light yellowing with brown speckles.. what does this mean? Any help would be most appreciated!

[@TheMelvinWei]

Did you grow it from seed or did you buy it? Was it growing in the ground before or in a pot?

[@codiejcollins]

@@TheMelvinWei hey! It wasn’t from seed it was given to me from someone who had it in the ground! Do you think it’s maybe not enough or over watering?

[@TheMelvinWei]

@@codiejcollins The root system could have been damaged when the tree was dug out of the ground, depending on how it was done. In my experience the taproot goes very deep. If the root ball was cut out in a convenient small cylinder of dirt for easy transport or transplanting into a pot, then it's possible that too much of the roots were cut away and the tree is dying. I surmised this because a viewer once told me all the JTs he bought online died after a few months. It sounds like your JT was moved twice, how long ago was the most recent move and how did you do it (was it in the ground at your old home or in a pot)?

[@codiejcollins]

@@TheMelvinWei I believe you’re right.. when I transplanted I didn’t see a large tap root still connected and there are very few remaining.. I took it out of the ground which was still soft and cleaned it all up. I cut back some of the roots and applied that rooting hormone and then reset the plant.. hoping I can stimulate something ☹️

[@mikella959]

lots of phones have 4k cameras just fyi

[@TheMelvinWei]

I've been filming in 4k res since 2015. But the phone I have now has a 4k screen and films 4k up to 120 fps.

[@zanderayers1011]

Can you name the Joshua tree hedgehog if it has no name. I'm growing a Joshua tree about an inch tall along with dragon fruit, also and inch tall, I got mine from my brothers terrarium because I help pay for it so I got a seed and the only seed that's sprouted so far is my Joshua tree lol. I'm hoping to get a agave / century plant and segaro cacti too but if i list off all my plants i want and have i tipe for days Cuz i love desert plants

[@TheMelvinWei]

I named it Josh in years past haha. Have fun with your desert plant growing journey! They sure are fun to have around and look at. Also, they are so easy to manage because they grow so slowly, and their modified leaves are so tough and don't die off and shed all over the place like with most wet climate plants.

[@zanderayers1011]

I do think Josh is a good name for it, I also got a terrarium it's fly traps but it has a little mold so I hope it grows still

[@mylespop]

Cool