Pine seeds ready

420foy

I have about 50 various species of pine seeds that are finishing up their 4 week stratification in my fridge. I've had trouble getting another group of seeds to germinate fully. I was wondering if anyone had some tips or suggestions on how to actually plant them. I had read to lay them on top of some soil, lightly cover with sand and place them in sunlight/grow light with bottom heat. Any help is well, helpful.

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3069James

i would pull off the wing and plant eighth of an inch down bottom heat speeds germination

jmuzzey

i am currently growing about 35 jap. black pines from seed. i started with about 45, but i had a few die from damping off, and a couple die from the cat or kids messing with them.

you said you stratified them for four weeks, i am not sure what type of pines you are trying to grow, but i kept my black pine seeds in the fridge for 60 days, according to directions. they all germinated rather well, just make sure the seeds are alive, and not dead. do this by soaking in water for 24 hours, if it floats, it is dead. if it sinks, it is alive.

i also am trying to grow two types of jap. maple from seed, and both required warm stratification, then cold. they have been in seed tray, in greenhouse under lights for 3 weeks now, and no seedlings above the soil yet on those. i pulled up a "wing", and saw a small root forming. i was told to plant the whole wing and all, not to strip it off the seed. so i didnt. i know most jap. maples grow slowly, so i will patiently wait.

i figured while i have my other trees to work on, why not try to grow some from seed, see what happens. i will keep the ones i like best for bonsai, and the rest will become landscape trees. i have a fairly large yard, so i can use some trees and have room to grow quite a few in open ground when the time is right to do so.

i wish you luck. just remember that it takes many years to get a very nice tree from seed, so be patient with them.......
jmuzzey

bnsaijim

I usually sow in a tray a few inches deep. I cover it with a white sheet or place in the shade. Once they germinate I slowly expose them to more light.

If you are out of ideal germination range I guess bottom heat would help, at least at night. When the needles are open and the stem changes color I carefully transfer to individual pots- actually I tried the "cutting" technique this year and got reasonable successes- about half survived.

I also tried trident maple seed- nothing is happening after stratifying in the fridge then in a warm spot. Maple seed has to be fresh- if it dries out it most likely won't germinate.

jim

__________________
Jim Stone
Seki Bonsai Studio
sekibonsai.com
Santa Fe, TX

BONSAI_OUTLAW

i found this to be very helpful


http://www.bonsaiportal.com/article.asp?id=10