Colorado Blue Spruce Data Sheet

• Common name: Colorado blue spruce

• Latin name: Picea Pungens Glauca

• Genus: Picea

• Height: 23 m (75 ft)

• Type: Evergreen

• Hardiness: Zone 2–7

• Conservation status: Least concern

Picea pungens glauca, commonly known as the Colorado blue spruce, is a conifer native to Rocky Mountains. Its range extends across Utah, Colorado and Wyoming.

This tree is generally found at medium to high altitudes, mostly from 1,500 m (4,900 ft) to 3,000 m (9,800 ft).

The Colorado blue spruce is a medium size conifer growing to a height of 23 m (75 ft). The trunk diameter can reach 25 inches. The bark is grey with a scaly pattern. The needles are 1 inch long with a bottle brush like formation. The needle colour can vary tree to tree, ranging from green, through greenish blue, to a more striking blue. The cones are 10 cm long and light brown. Immature cones are dark red.

The Colorado blue spruce is closely related to the Green spruce and white spruce, which all share many of its characteristics.

This is a very popular ornamental tree which can be container grown. Used for bonsai.

Pre Germination

Colorado Blue Spruce seeds need no pretreatment or stratification before sowing. Fill trays or pots with quality compost and firm down gently. Spread seed across the surface; around 25 in a 10 cm pot is ideal. Cover with 3 mm of compost and gently firm down.

Keep compost damp, not soaking wet or dried out. Place pots or trays on a warm windowsill or in a warm conservatory. Germination should occur at 1–3 weeks.

Post Germination

Once seedlings appear, keep them in a well-ventilated area to reduce the risk of damping off disease. Place in a bright location such as a windowsill. Ensure seedlings never dry out. Water logging should also be avoided; young trees hate wet feet. These seedlings are average size and quite sturdy and will give you little hassle. They can be separated into their own 4" pots at 15–20 weeks; by this stage they are frost hardy and can stay outdoors. Fertilization is not required up to this point. During spring and summer we advise using an NPK 10-10-10 fertilizer every 4 weeks.

CAUTION: Slugs and snails love juicy young pines and spruce.

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