Growing Joshua Trees from Seeds for 3 Years

[@apogeus2]

you are one hell of a patient person 😂🎉 good job 👏

[@johnboyajian1689]

I'm stopping at 1.08 in your film, I will watch the rest tomorrow.

[@timwilson7326]

I just bought the same exact Joshua tree seed kit from grand canyon west yesterday, May 2023. Looks the exact same 😄

[@csotnick]

Awesome video! I fell in love with the Joshua tree recently on a trip to the Grand Canyon. I wanted information about growing them from seed and I sure came to the right place! Thanks for the video and all the great advice!

[@docmacyou]

Really interesting. I had brought a seed pod last year, kept it refrigerated, and then took 1/2 the seeds, soaked for a day and planted them. Now about 2 weeks later noted maybe a dozen sprouts. Looked up your video to verify that they were the Joshua Tree seeds...and they are. Learning a lot from your videos.

[@bourbonflow]

Banana Smoothie.....over 1000 days and still paranoid ....your enthusiasm is next to none. All Hail!!!

[@lwpenrose]

really enjoying watching this series. I'm at day 23 and 5 seeds have germinated (about 2 inch blade of grass now). I planted them in only 5 inch pots though so trying to figure out right time to transplant. Also in So Cal in Chula Vista currently growing them inside.

[@TheMelvinWei]

If they're in small containers maybe let them grow full root balls and then transfer the entire root ball with soil into a bigger pot later.

[@mr_4point681]

How big are they now?

[@nikkinak3517]

Thank you for recording this! It was awesome to see the joshua tree grow!

[@lorenjones2733]

Beautiful. I have that same Joshua tree seed packet from the park. I planted all of them about 5 months ago and 3 sprouted. After that 2 died within a month. I have one left and it's growing strong, has 4 blades currently about 8" tall. I looked this video up bc I was convinced I got gyped and those seeds were really some kind of weed. ha. Glad to see it looks just like your young ones so far.

[@TheMelvinWei]

It's a fascinating plant from beginning to end.

[@kunal7373]

this is my best youtube channel.... 🙏 HUGE RESPECT FROM INDIA 🇮🇳

[@leschristensen3198]

Cool, have trees, fire wiped some out, couple came back, see if I can find seeds, they mostly grow in rocky, sandy decomposed granite rocky soil. Animals eat the seeds in nature, I'll find some

[@st8kout961]

The house I bought several years ago has 2 tall Joshua Trees in the front yard, and they are magnificent, especially now in April where they are blossoming with beautiful white flowers. Those spines are fierce though, and I worry about local kids getting too close and putting out an eye. I may have to put a some kind of wrought iron fence as one of the trees has grown so much that the blades are now fairly close to the sidewalk. I had a spine break off in my arm and it wasn't easy getting it all out. Very painful and inflamed, as if the plant contained some kind of irritant.

[@TheMelvinWei]

The spines are dirty with dust and bug matter, and they hurt and can draw blood easily. Clipping the tips for the blades at body level helps tremendously. How tall are your two trees? I drove by a lot of houses with clonal colonies of Joshua trees in their front yards on the way to a hike in Lancaster.

[@desertgatherings7950]

Thank you for making this video with our product!

[@tammywilliams8227]

Interesting 3 year series video - inspired me to grow one- I've ordered seeds - love it!!

[@jeppy82]

i just got this exact seed packet as a souvenir from a friend, going to start this project myself in New England lol

[@WATCHMEGOBROKE]

New subscriber here!! Awesome video brother .I have the same josua tree kit the video just dropped cant wait to see the progress..i had no idea they grew so slow!! sthanks for posting

[@Ajouk]

We have one grown from seed now around 13 years old, probably about 4 feet high but we are in the UK and it is inside in our south facing conservatory

[@HoldenDoesBikeStuff]

Wow anyway I could get a link to a photo???

[@TerriLynne-1]

At 2:16:09...what kind of motor do you have in that blender? If my full, glass jar of salsa was moving along like that, it's gotta be a plane engine........or a poltergeist. Lol. I have absolutely loved these videos on your Joshua Tree. I just started one. I have a couple Joshua Trees in my backyard (I live in the High Desert in CA in Hesperia.) I see these trees and I would love to water them as we are in a drought. Seems like we're slowly losing them.

[@lindamorrison9755]

Why didn't you use desert type soil since that is what they grow in? Think your soil was the wrong type to grow them in.

[@timwilson7326]

Yea he did start with the wrong soil. They sell cactus/succulent soil packages now at home Depot.

[@nickneal6021]

this video is amazing. thank you for educating me even more about them... you should start a j tree nursery and grow seedlings in planter pots. i have purchased several j tree seedlings bare root but they hate being transplanted and always die... if you grew them in small planter pots (where the roots remain undisturbed during transplanting) i'd definitely buy some from you. thanks for the great video!!!!

[@KayentaRojo]

thank you so much for making this video!! it helps so much and is very detailed! I just started my joshua tree seedlings!

[@plantsonthewindowsill1388]

Nice job :) I'm trying to grow date trees from store bought dates now, will see how it goes

[@Justbreathcole6171]

Awesome video thank you, going to the dessert next month. Cant wait to bring one home with me :) great tips you have here

[@phillipthomas9901]

What an amazing video! Will you have any more updates on Josh? Do you keep a blog where you do more updates?

[@TheMelvinWei]

I don't have a blog but every few months or so I do an update. Check on my playlist "Growing Joshua Trees from Seeds" for updates.

[@poopypuppyproductions7409]

Good vid. You state the provided soil is not like the soil in AZ, NV, NM UT, CA soil, but I live in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona (near Tucson) and I am positive our soil looks NOTHING like the Miracle Grow soil. lol

[@dutchgiant9846]

are you talking about the stuff he used or the stuff that came in the kit?

[@loras3169]

It’s been 2 years! How is josh now???

[@johnboyajian1689]

I started segaro giant cactus 🌵 exactly the kind in the cartoon symbol with 2 arms . I started them in 2014 and they are now 9 years old. The Arizona website says they grow only 1.5 inches in 10 years but after 9 years for me they grew the size of large avocados.

[@Josh-cq9op]

I’m only a third into the video so far but I want to comment before I forget. These plants like well draining soil. The soil you used holds water which in turn keeps the plant with wet feet and develops fungal issue. As they are desert plants, adding quite a bit of sand to the soil would have made a difference. Also, the bottom should’ve been able to drain out.

[@josie_mary]

Thank you so much for this, it worked! I see the blade of grass looking thing, no mistake!

[@wilddesertgarden]

I have tried to grow these Joshua trees from seeds 3 times and I have never got one to sprout. I was concerned that my seeds might be too old. It was interesting how long some of your seeds took to germinate.

[@lannie2553]

I got the extra same ones, and it took mine around two weeks! I used the soil and tiny pot it came in. As I’m in Canada, they’re under a plant grow light for 8 hours a day

[@kasslove111]

i would love to get the seeds where can you get them?

[@arvinjami3992]

I thoroughly enjoyed your precision in growing this plant.

[@sherrillriley2829]

I came back to your channel today because I am discouraged about my cat eating the spikes on my plant for the second tine! Then I see that your cat did the same. My cat is obsessed with this plant. I was going to bring it in for the winter but I guess I will have to put it back outside! Mine has been growing maybe 11 months?

[@Birdblue283]

I grew one from a seed. It is sitting in a small pot in a container that I keep about two inches of water in at all times (the instructions said to do this). It has sprouted and is about six inches tall. Should I continue this setup? Should I take it out of the water container? How often do you water yours? Thanks!

[@TheMelvinWei]

Oh yeah I would definitely take it out of standing water and transplant it into an inorganic growing medium. They thrive even in pure clay soil but mixing in sand or other materials will help the roots breathe better and make watering easier.

[@poopypuppyproductions7409]

For a water container, I use 2 liter soda bottles or 1 gallon milk containers and I drill several tiny holes in the caps which spread the water. These are not only inexpensive, they're FREE. I also use milk jugs with a single hole near the bottom and I adjust the "drip" by loosing/tightening the cap. I was also wondering, while at the Joshua tree park, are you allowed to carry a concealed plastic straw for protection? lol

[@johnboyajian1689]

Did you count the rings on the stump?

[@johnboyajian1689]

I think I saw the telephone Joshua tree in the desert when I was a kid and my mom was driving me thruogh on a field trip for her social work for adoptions. We went to Boron , tehachipi, death valley, Mojave, lake Isabella, and my favorite Las Vegas.

[@sunshinecarnivores1919]

Are you using the soil that you used to hold the water in for the young trees? I know they are succulents, and I would think it would be too heavy for them.

[@Mya1621]

Hi Melvin thank for the video it help a lot, I had the same seeds and now I have 7 baby joshua 😂 , it’ s been 1 year already they ok but now I have some very very small white thing movin in the soil, maybe colembole/spring tails, are you familiar?

[@TheMelvinWei]

Sounds like springtails.

[@Mya1621]

@@TheMelvinWei I don’t remember if you mention in the videos, what can I do? Can it hurt them?

[@TheMelvinWei]

@@Mya1621 I don't remember showing springtail footage in this video series. Springtails are harmless but it's really gross to see thousands of them jump around on top of potting mix when you water. You can apply pesticides if you want, such as imidacloprid pellets or sprays etc.

[@Mya1621]

@@TheMelvinWei thank you 😊

[@EB_musik]

Do you think I could grow these little guys in Canada? Got the same exact little gift thing you have which I got at a Grand Canyon gift shop while on vacation in Las Vegas.

[@landdealsCA]

Would this grow faster in yucca climate?

[@jzizzles7799]

3 years and it's still small. Wish there was a way to purchase a 6ft tall joshua tree.

[@GoBlue576966]

Cactus Joe's near Blue Mountain Nevada. Its an amazing nursery with big joshua trees.

[@maxpenn6374]

@@GoBlue576966 Is that Blue Mountain or could it be Blue Diamond?

[@PompomYourkey]

its 5 years old now right?

[@benscott3162]

When did you decide to add sand to your soil mixture?

[@irishmexican21oc]

Hello sir. I love your videos. How is Joshie doing?

[@2702simmo]

How’s this yukka now?

[@KindofaScientist]

If I may recommend a faster way. Empty a tea bag, and put 2 seeds per teabag. Cut a small water bottle in half, place the seeds in the middle of the tea bag, and put half of the teabag in water and another half above water. This way, your seeds will germinate faster and better than other methods, such as placing them on paper towels. After they start to shoot roots, then plant them but be very careful with the roots. To not disturb the roots while putting thee seeds in the soil, make a hole put the seed carefully in with roots pointing down and pure sand in the whole to fill the hole with sand ( not fine playing sand it kills your plant because it keeps too much water). You can do this for any seed! Use a rooting powder if u can too. AND add BTI to your water and there will be no Gnats!

[@lorenzoramirez5447]

Thanks for the vid. Can we get an update?

[@agereautmore]

Just planted my own Joshua Tree seed, thanks to your video! I used sterilized 50% MG moisture control, 50% desert sand, and planted one seed in an 8" pot, hoping to avoid the need for transplant. I also started germinating 3 seeds on a paper towel in case the planted one is unsuccessful. I'll be keeping the top of the soil damp for a few weeks, then switching to regular succulent watering. Any suggestions? Thanks for your channel! I just found it a couple days ago and love the format of your videos, especially the scientific insights.

[@agereautmore]

I'm on day 26 today and it's 2 inches tall. :) All four seeds successfully germinated and are very happy. Hope your outlook improves.

[@carlh2007]

has it survived?

[@zanderayers1011]

Hey i had a joshua tree and it was like 3 to 4 in tall and was the only one then it turned brown and died im getting new ones soon any advice to help

[@TheMelvinWei]

Have the seeds germinate in a growing medium with maximum aeration and drainage. The seedling roots are prone to root rot. Natural dirt with a high sand composition is what these naturally grow in, or decomposed granite, etc. Potting mix like I started out with leads to root rot.

[@zanderayers1011]

@@TheMelvinWei thanks I have one in a mix of seedling Pete moss,sand,those white rock things (I don't know how to spell it) and some potting soil and one that's in soilless medium that I'm transferring soon

[@jamesplumhoff3215]

Since you made this I bet you have learned that pumice in your soil corrects some of your issues

[@johnboyajian1689]

I'm ready to grow a long white beard as I'm almost done watching your video!

[@GoBlue576966]

Seeing your package, same that I got in Joshua Tree, got me thinking, how many seeds did you get to germinate? Currently my package is at 10 of 13, 77%. Unfortunately the biggest seed died before it even sent out a "grass" blade leaf. I've been simply putting mine in peat pellets and keeping them moist. I did have two of the three in a mixture of potting soil and peat germinate.

[@TheMelvinWei]

I prefer not to use pure potting mix to germinate anything now because it has too much aeration/dries out on the top layer too fast, which is bad for germination.

[@TheMelvinWei]

I didn't fare nearly as well, only 4 out of 13 germinated (in some previous replies I said 10 instead of 13, it's been so long ago I forgot haha). And I lost 3 to root rot, needed to transplant the first mover/survivor to a bigger pot and let it sit dry for almost 2 months before it started growing again. So it's kind of tricky in that you need a lot of top layer watering and preferably have some real dirt on top or mixed in, then in the first few months after germination don't water too much or you'll get root rot, then after they become established they won't get root rot no matter how much watering you do.

[@GoBlue576966]

Interesting about the potting soil. When I have a good batch of seeds I can usually get a lot of them to germinate in pure potting soil. My issue is either exposing them to air too quickly or putting them in direct sun too quickly. We are having two completely different experiences. I've been watering my trees about once a week, at the most, being careful to not let the water get between the leaves and what would be the trunk. With my newest sprouts I just try to get the peat pellet wet, however the tap root is running deep so I should probably be trying to get that some moisture. Hmmm. On stupid cat ended up eating two of them. I wanted to end her life for that.

[@TheMelvinWei]

Your cat ate your Joshua tree seedlings?! That sucks, these things are a real investment and labor of love, they're hard enough to raise as is without animals sabotaging your efforts.

[@GoBlue576966]

Yes. She mistaken it for grass. Sigh, poor kitty. I've got my trees in a safe place now. I'm hoping one day ai can plant them along a driveway. Instead of palms, I have joshua trees. :D

[@brianarnold4819]

Smoothies for plants. Now, I have seen it all.

[@johnboyajian1689]

My mom use to take all the old vitamins and put them in the garden bucket I thought she was nuts .

[@MikePatelGroup]

thanks for the video.. do you have a source where I can buy the actual Joshu Tree plant to PLANT in Joshua tree CA. Thx

[@maxpenn6374]

Rail City Garden Center in Sparks, Nevada had two on hand Saturday, 15 April 23. Theiy are about seven feet tall. They are priced at $1,450 each.

[@MikePatelGroup]

@@maxpenn6374 thanks for the info!

[@marihacarrigan1521]

Would you just mix sand with potting soil for a seedling about two months old? Growing indoors in ohio here

[@TheMelvinWei]

If I could do it all over I'd just grow in pure sand. I recently discovered pool filter sand, the grains are larger than the play sand I was using recently, I'd use that.

[@HappyCamper2025]

My oven is broken. Can I sterilize in a microwave?

[@TheMelvinWei]

Yes if the potting mix is wet, but it could splatter

[@meow23]

I did the banana leaf for my plants, didn't know about the cockroach thing, I always throw away my mango seeds , so stupid never thought those seeds are full in nutrients.

[@scottcampbell3973]

Melvin, thanks for sharing your experience growing J Trees. I'm also in SD (El Cajon), and am curious do you take your plants indoors on cold nights? It gets below freezing about 20-30 days a year, where I live and am worried it's too cold for them. And how much do you water the plants (and does it change based on age)? Looking forward to more videos.

[@TheMelvinWei]

Hi Scott, it depends on the species. Most of my tropical fruit trees won't survive freezing nights so I would take them indoors during cold snaps. I recently learned that big tap water flushes are bad, at least during the winter, even with plants growing almost entirely in sand. During summer I have to water a lot, and frequently. When plants are more established their roots are much more resistant to rot, so I can water much more without worrying.

[@johnboyajian1689]

I used to buy the same seeds at the high Mojave desert museum gift shop and a few times I grew this and it died when I was a kid. If they hadn't died the seedlings would have been full grown trees buy now.

[@ryanthony44]

I have about a 3 year old Joshua tree. Is there any way that I can make it grow branches?

[@plopthepspking]

Mine sprouted by the 3rd day above the soil line.

[@andrewcairncross8617]

Early stages here in London, UK

[@andrewcairncross8617]

kzbin.info7S_3WKtWgYo?feature=shared

[@bowenlife8700]

No offense but I think you are over analyzing the growing of this plant, first of all I would Not worry about sterilizing potting soil, distilling water and wearing gloves... nature does not have these protective measure and these plants grow fine and are very hardy. Vitamins? Just water it, fertilize occasionally and provide light.

[@nuriamac6178]

I think you have scale insects on the lower leaves.

[@elliott18ce]

In year one, did your plant shed a few leaves?

[@johnboyajian1689]

Your right 3 inches thing wouldn't add up because of my segaro cactus that grew faster and taller than normal.

[@johnboyajian1689]

Good bye. Thanks for your show.

[@adhisetyorahmanwardanu7564]

Thank you very much

[@crazyskateboarding00]

I tried to grow a yucca elata with no luck at all out of 30 seeds, I now have 15 yucca Thompsoniana and am hoping it works, I'm trying to germinate it in a ziplock bag with the seeds on a moist paper towel. If this doesn't work I may try Joshua tree seeds

[@TheMelvinWei]

This is the only yucca I've tried growing. The 2 you mentioned I saw in zoos' botanical gardens before. So all the Yucca elata seeds just sat there and rotted away?

[@crazyskateboarding00]

Unfortunately yes, I tried just planting it in well draining soil before also with no luck, I live in Canada so that may play a factor

[@GoBlue576966]

How did the germination work out? I am currently trying it with damaged joshua tree seeds. Simply way for me to see if they are viable anymore, yeah right, and not using my peat pellets. Peat pellets have been amazing for me in a couple different species of yucca.

[@اللهيعزالمملكة-ض4ش]

شكرا لك 😘😘😍👍👍❤❤👍👍🌵🌵

[@roneven3420]

are they selling worldwide? wanna buy some of these

[@TheMelvinWei]

I don't know if the online retailers in America will sell worldwide but most people should be able to get some seeds.

[@MikeODonnellMagic]

Impressive!

[@AntAntares]

They look like garlic then onion then a freak of nature

[@alveensLV]

Thank you for celsius

[@vienna7645]

Do they grow in Germany 🤔

[@ernemann1276]

bis jetzt ja.habe im februar ca.200 samen aus der mojave mitgebracht.bisher 3 kleine pflänzchen um die 5 cm.tough job for sure 🙃

[@bourbonflow]

Who knows who laid those worms in there!

[@jnineneuorpe8841]

Look, you keep saying you have fungus gnats and root rot, but you keep reusing the same soil. Simple solution: get rid of the contaminated soil completely and use totally new soil. Do NOT blend new soil with the same soil and possibly you would get different results, and do NOT repeatedly do the same over-watering - use a different medium method. Good luck.

[@TheMelvinWei]

I eventually replaced it all with 50% sand 50% clay soil.

[@johnboyajian1689]

Joshua trees don't have rings therefore there is no way to know how old they are.

[@anttikuusmetso]

👍👍👍

[@poopypuppyproductions7409]

Clipping Josh's "toe nails?" Are "we" going to neuter Josh next? lol

[@johnboyajian1689]

I take 1 baby aspirin every morning to prevent a heart attack.

[@koudekoelkast]

You have Instagram?

[@poopypuppyproductions7409]

Other projects that would be interesting, could be to plant some Herpes Virus in a petri dish. What do you think? lol

[@TheMelvinWei]

Wow Monday really brought out the crazies on the Internet.

[@doublelectric]

Ayo 420 likes let’s go

[@johnboyajian1689]

They dye like goldfish.

[@johnboyajian1689]

I'm going to refund my $8.00 for 5 Joshua seed buy on Amazon because for 3 more dollars I can buy 50 Joshua seeds on a different website.

[@blackkennedy3966]

for real man. Some guys are selling like 5 for 20 bucks but I found a local who harvests them himself and he sells 50 for 10 on eBay. Another guy 25 for 3 bucks. Also eBay. Gotta look for the locals who harvest their own seeds. I brought both because the 50 guy is selling eastern Joshua tree lives in Arizona Mojave county and the other guy lives in San bernardino selling the western one. Both grow and also look different so that’s why I wanna collect them both.