stratifying conifer seeds

Discussion in 'Plant Propagation' started by monkeytreeboy15, Feb 16, 2009.

  1. monkeytreeboy15

    monkeytreeboy15 Member

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    Hi all, I am looking for some pointers on how to stratify the some conifer seeds they are: western larch, Ponderosa pine, & Sitka spruce. Thanks for all your help. :)
     
  2. Millet

    Millet Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    For Western larch, Ponderosa Pine Fall is the best time to plant seeds. Pine seeds that cannot be planted at once should be stratified at 35F for two months. It is best to plant them in sterilized soil or an artificial soil medium, so damping off diseases will be less of a problem. Larch seed should be stratified at 40F for three months., and planted in a sterilized soil or an artificial soil medium. - Millet (1,433-)
     
  3. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    A month at 2°C for all of them will suffice.
     
  4. Poetry to Burn

    Poetry to Burn Active Member

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    Would the same stratification process work for P. thunbergii and bungeana?
     
  5. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Yes, should do.
     
  6. monkeytreeboy15

    monkeytreeboy15 Member

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    Michael F., should I put peat moss in the plastic bags while they are in the fridge?
     
  7. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Sterilised sand is better than peat, but neither is absolutely necessary.
     
  8. monkeytreeboy15

    monkeytreeboy15 Member

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    I don't have any sand, but the peat moss won't hurt anything, right?
     
  9. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    More likely to carry mould than sand, but there's a good chance you'll be OK. Inspect weekly and discard any seeds that go mouldy, or turn black (if not naturally black) and ooze liquid at all. Mouldy seeds can often be distinguished by peat / sand clinging to them, embedded in the mould hyphae.
     
  10. monkeytreeboy15

    monkeytreeboy15 Member

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    Okay. I'll keep an eye out for the moldy ones. Thanks so much.
     
  11. pinenut

    pinenut Active Member 10 Years

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    For what its worth, Arboretum de Villardebelle has a nice set of pictures with instructions on stratifying pines. www.pinetum.org
    Worked pretty well for me.
    Carl
     
  12. monkeytreeboy15

    monkeytreeboy15 Member

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    Cool, Carl. Thanks
     
  13. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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