Learn how to grow Ginko Biloba tree, growing ginkgo biloba tree is easy. This beautiful ornamental tree will soon become one of the most beautiful trees in your garden, once established.
USDA zones — 4-9
Other Names — Fossil Tree, Maidenhair Tree, Japanese Silver Apricot, Baiguo, Bai Guo Ye, Kew Tree, Yinhsing, The Tree of Forty Crowns
How to Grow Ginkgo Biloba
Propagation
Ginkgo tree can be propagated from seeds or by cuttings.
Propagation from cuttings is better. To propagate it from cuttings, cut around 10 cm long cutting and plant it in a pot with potting soil lightened with perlite.
Cover it with plastic sheet and water regularly. After cutting has rooted, slowly acclimatize it without the sheet and transplant it into bigger pot or on the ground when it has outgrown the current pot.
Also Read: Ginkgo Biloba Tree Facts
Planting Ginkgo Biloba Tree
Female trees form fleshy fruits and their smell quickly becomes nauseating. Ether avoid planting them or plant them away from your home.
Plant ginkgo tree in the fall or spring. Prepare planting hole that is of the same depth and twice wide of the rootball. Bury the rootball in hole and water thoroughly. Protect young plants from drought and harsh sun.
Requirements for Growing Ginkgo Biloba Tree
Position
It has good tolerance to the temperate climate and can withstand a semi-continental condition. It needs full sun or very light shade. It is also resistant to winds.
Soil
No specific soil type is required for growing ginkgo biloba tree. However, soil should be well drained but in a way that it must not dry out quickly, also note that the tree grows long taproot and requires deep soil.
It is best to plant it in light, rich soil. It supports mildly calcareous soil but prefers neutral, silty and slightly clayey soil. Add sand if needed to alleviate the heavy clay rich soil and compost to amend the poor substrate.
Watering
Water Ginkgo biloba tree regularly until it establishes in the first 3 years of growth. Keeping the soil moist as its growth is slower in dry soil but avoid damp and heavy soil.
Ginkgo Biloba Tree Care
Fertilizer
Generally, fertilizer is not required but to give a boost you can fertilize it in spring using a slow-release balanced fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N-P-K), according to the label instructions. A balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer is suitable. Annual application of compost or manure is also helpful for plant.
Mulching
Mulching is essential for growing ginkgo biloba tree. In summer to preserve moisture and in winter to protect the roots from the cold.
Pruning
Ginkgo biloba is a beautiful tree, it does not require additional pruning unless you want to control its shape or size.
Pests and Diseases
Diseases are rare as ginkgo biloba is a very resistant plant. Mealybugs might attack it. To control them, try spraying a mixture of vegetable oil and liquid dish soap in equal proportion diluted to one teaspoon per 150 ml of water to get rid of them.
Also Read: Spanish Moss Care and Growing
How do you tell male from female in young trees.
Good article. Thanks
I read somewhere that nursery people may not know, which I guess is why they didn’t answer you, or it shows to readers.
My daughter got me a gingko tree for Mother’s Day, I planted it in a pot, and it grew about a foot. The leaves were green until the last time I watered it. Right now it seems to have something wrong with it. The leaves are yellowing, and it looks sad and droopy. I think I overwatered it… so I took it out of its larger pot it was in and now have it in a smaller, confined breathable pot made of soft wicker like material. I have clay pellets, and some fox dirt, that are being delivered tomorrow. Then I will repot it, but I don’t want anything to happen to it. I also bought a grow light to help since it only gets a little bit of sun in the morning. I’m hoping this will help, but do you suggest I do anything else with it? any particular fertilizer or suggestions as to how I can fix it so it doesn’t die. I’ll be absolutely heartbroken if I can’t save it!!
Wow, thanks! I was looking at the 12-year-old ginkgo I had in my backyard and my husband wanted to cut it down. We were looking when I convinced him not to cut it down, he saw this on Google. This really helps us keep it alive!