- 1). Purchase or harvest a pecan drupe in the fall once they are completely ripe. Pack a small plastic bag with 4 inches of vermiculite. Moisten lightly with water. Place the nut in the middle of the vermiculite and refrigerate for at least three months.
- 2). Fill a pot with a good potting soil or a mix of 1 part sand, 1 part peat and 1 part bark. Plant the drupe 3 inches deep in the pot and tamp down the soil well with your fingers.
- 3). Irrigate the potted drupe until water starts leaking out the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. Place it in full sun. Keep the drupe moist until it begins to break through the soil. When it grows to a height of at least 3 inches, transplant the pecan seedling into a large container, such as a half-barrel, ensuring that there are drainage holes in the bottom.
- 4). Place the barrel in full sun. The barrel probably will be difficult to move, especially as the tree grows, so position it where it can thrive year-round. Water the soil until moisture flows out the bottom, keeping it moist until it starts to grow vigorously again. Decrease watering after that point, allowing the top of the soil to dry slightly.
- 5). Apply fertilizer once a month during the growing season. Use a water-soluble fertilizer marked 10-10-10. Follow the directions on the package for application instructions, as each brand will differ.
- 6). Prune off dead and broken branches in late winter with pruning shears. The only other pruning needed is to keep it in bounds so it fits nicely within its allotted space.