Seed propagation of Japanese Black Pine

[Japh]

I have some Japanese Black Pine seeds and would appreciate anyone's input on how best to propagate them. Stories of success and how it was achieved would be much appreicated

japanese_black_pine.jpg

Note: For links to other threads I've recently started on seed propagation, check this thread: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=2348

[Bretts]

Sorry to say Japh those seeds look a little pale to me they may not be very fertile. It is a good idea to treat them with a fungicide or chlorine or bleach. I would try bleach or chlorine at 2-10 ratio. But others say that nothing prevents damp off so that is up to you.
Soak the seeds in warm water for 24-48 hours any that do not sink are infertile, then plant out in a normal seed mix as deep as two seeds. Germination should be in a few weeks. Do this yesterday. Most will say you can expect about 20% survival rate after damp off.

[Grant Bowie]

Probably too late as they should have been planted around May.

[Bretts]

I have planted mine in spring Grant with great results. Some say cold stratification some say not. The Dirr Reference manula also jumps back and forth and although stating spring sowing is fine it does state fall sowing produces better seedlings so I guess you have had better results that way. You could definatly wait until next fall to sow Japh but I would do these now and search for better ones for fall sowing.

[Japh]

Damn... some of the paleness could be due to the photo being a little over-exposed?

May, huh? I guess I'll have to wait til next May then. I might try them now, and see how they go. Plenty of time to get more seeds for next May as you say, Brett.

[Bretts]

Grant is VERY experienced in this and the Dirr agrees with him that Fall planting can give better seedlings but I can say many plant theirs in Spring with no pretreatment except for soaking and get great results.
You will get a good idea of the fertility after you soak them. If they refuse to sink you are wasting your time!
Plunk them in warm water now and let us know what happens

[Japh]

Grant is VERY experienced in this and the Dirr agrees with him that Fall planting can give better seedlings but I can say many plant theirs in Spring with no pretreatment except for soaking and get great results.
You will get a good idea of the fertility after you soak them. If they refuse to sink you are wasting your time!
Plunk them in warm water now and let us know what happens

Ok, well it can't hurt to have a shot! So warm water for 24-48 hours? Is that basically, until they all sink or 48 hours is up whichever comes first, and any that don't sink can be thrown out? And does the water need to be warm for as much of the 24-48 hours as possible? (i.e. should I top up with warmer water when it cools down, and does warm mean "tepid" or "hot"?)

Lots of questions, I know... but as soon as I have answers, I'll be putting them into practice!

[Grant Bowie]

Certainly plant them now. It's sink or swim time indeed.

Get good seed for next year if you can. I used to harvest my seed tree around February in the Sthn Highlands NSW but had to net the tree to keep the White Cockatoos off my seed.

I easily got about 6,000 seed per season off a tree about 10 years old that I planted myself.

[Bretts]

I have done mine for 24 hours but some do 48. Just put warm water in a jar some even use boiling water but I use warm. No need to keep warm just think of it as a warm spring rain soaking the seeds. I usually find any that do not sink within 12 hours are probably not going to sink with any seeds.