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Growing sequoia from seed

Posted: February 22nd, 2012, 12:05 pm
by drlach
Does anyone have any experience growing these amazing trees from seed in Australia?

I finally purchased some seeds and have them freezing their tails off in the fridge, but unsure of the best technique for germinating them in Australia. There are so many websites offering different spins on it that the whole thing is a little confusing.

Hopefully someone out there can shed some Aussie light on the issue.

Thanks in advance,

DrLach

Re: Growing sequoia from seed

Posted: February 22nd, 2012, 1:11 pm
by time8theuniverse
I've recently got some coastal redwood to germinate. I just had them in a container with some sand in the bottom that was damp. I kept it in the fridge and kept an eye on it. Some of the seeds started to grow roots while in the fridge, so i planted the 5mm deep in seed propagating soil and 2weeks later some had come up.

I realize now I should have just planted the ones which where beginning to germinate and left the rest for more of the 60-90days. I've just had to pot on the seedlings that come up after 2 months.

Re: Growing sequoia from seed

Posted: February 22nd, 2012, 2:08 pm
by The Ficus Guy
I live in the states and used to grow these seeds in the fridge a few years back. Here's my method of what I did to sprout the seeds:

1. Wet down a coffee filter/paper towel/similar material.
2. Place seeds in the fold of that material.
3. Place that inside of a plastic bag.
4. Place that inside of the fridge for 30 days.

That is how I grew Giant Sequoia, Sequoiadendron giganteum. For Coast Redwood, Sequoiadendron sempervirens, I simply did the above steps, just minus putting the bag in the fridge. As the seeds sprouted on the wet cloth, I planted them into their own pots.

By the way, I've been over to California to see the giant trees, and they are truly breathtaking.

Re: Growing sequoia from seed

Posted: February 22nd, 2012, 2:52 pm
by NBPCA
I harvested seed from trees (Sequoiadendron giganteum) in Beechworth Vic about 15 years ago and just planted them in seedling trays in Autumn and they came up in spring; no cold treatment at all.

Maybe do a couple of batches and compare.

Grant

Re: Growing sequoia from seed

Posted: February 22nd, 2012, 3:18 pm
by Scott Roxburgh
NBPCA wrote:I harvested seed from trees (Sequoiadendron giganteum) in Beechworth Vic about 15 years ago and just planted them in seedling trays in Autumn and they came up in spring; no cold treatment at all.

Maybe do a couple of batches and compare.

Grant
I did much the same.

I bought some on ebay last year and planted in Akadama/Pumice in Autumn, then put them under my benches.

Maybe 1/2 germinated? I'll take a pic tonight...

Re: Growing sequoia from seed

Posted: February 22nd, 2012, 4:06 pm
by drlach
Thanks for the prompt replies.

I will give both methods a go and see how it pans out.

Cheers.

Re: Growing sequoia from seed

Posted: February 22nd, 2012, 5:18 pm
by fiveoffive
I tryed the fridge with mine. ( epic fail ) . 0 of 50.
The Problem was the seeds i think. ( old ) as i have done maples,gum's raintree's and many others in the fridge.

you never know what your geting from e bay :(

Re: Growing sequoia from seed

Posted: May 25th, 2012, 2:44 pm
by NBPCA
Hi all,

I was lucky enough to go through Beechworth on the road to Melbourne last week and took a photo of the giant redwood there.

I collected seed from them many years ago and grew some trees from them.

Grant
Giant Redwood at Beechworth.JPG