🫘 Seeds—Late Aug 2023

Round 3 with seeds, with Chinese Cork Bark Elm being the easiest and successful plant. Larch sprouted but not hearty enough. I should have learned my lesson and just bury my “magic” juniper seeds—as growing from seeds is very hard. I should attempt cuttings instead.

Japanese Red Pine

Pinus Densiflora:

Jonas Dupiuch/ Seed experience:
Black and red pines do, however, benefit from brief stratification. Stratification can be achieved by refrigerating seeds before planting. Place the seeds in a plastic bag with a moist paper towel or some shredded white sphagnum moss to preserve humidity.
I typically leave black pine seeds in the refrigerator for about a week and red pine seeds for 1-3 weeks. I’ve found the stratified seeds sprout faster and more consistently than the non-stratified seeds by a wide margin – try it and see how it works for you.

Japanese Hornbeam

Carpinus Japonica:

Scarification: Soak in water, let stand in water for 24 hours
Stratification: warm stratify for 60 days [end Nov], cold stratify for 90 days [end Feb]
Germination: sow seed 1/4" deep, tamp the soil, mulch the seed bed

Chinese Cork Bark Elm

Cold stratification:
Stratification in a fridge for 2-3 weeks is recommended but optional. Plant in a greenhouse, put on a greenhouse >70F and under grow lights or by a windowsill with indirect sunlight.
Sow seed 1/16 inch deep, tamp the soil, mulch the seed bed. Prevent seed from becoming too wet.
Pot and placed in a partial shade.
Potting soil below, filter coupon then soil on top 1/2” to encourage lateral growth.