Zone: 6 - 9
The last couple of months or so has been a bit crazy for me, I went on a brief trip to India, then I moved about a week after getting back. There are still a few boxes waiting to be unpacked and I have yet to set up my stereo or my PC. In any case, I didn't think about any of the upcoming craziness when I ordered my first batch of seeds. They got to me a couple weeks before the vacation to India and I realized that I would not only have to wait until I got back from India before I could plant them, but it was also in my best interest to wait until I moved a couple weeks after that. So I was looking at a month before I could plant all the seeds I was excited about. Bummer. I didn't even bother opening the package to look at the seeds or the sowing instructions, I knew I would be tempted to just plant them anyway even though it would make no sense.
At some point, probably a week after the move, I opened the packet and took a look at the Coast Redwood instructions. In big bold red letters it stated: Sow immediately upon receipt. Then this as well: Note - germination rate is characteristically low (20%) for this species. I figured I had lost the chance to grow anything since I waited a month but threw them in a seedling pot anyway thinking I'll try and if it doesn't work, I will order more. The packet had 50 seeds, so I split those seeds between 3 seedling pots. To my surprise, a seed sprouted about a week and a half later. First, one seedling in a pot, then two in the same pot. Now it's four seedlings in one pot and one seedling in another pot. Take a look, click on the picture for a bigger image:
The last couple of months or so has been a bit crazy for me, I went on a brief trip to India, then I moved about a week after getting back. There are still a few boxes waiting to be unpacked and I have yet to set up my stereo or my PC. In any case, I didn't think about any of the upcoming craziness when I ordered my first batch of seeds. They got to me a couple weeks before the vacation to India and I realized that I would not only have to wait until I got back from India before I could plant them, but it was also in my best interest to wait until I moved a couple weeks after that. So I was looking at a month before I could plant all the seeds I was excited about. Bummer. I didn't even bother opening the package to look at the seeds or the sowing instructions, I knew I would be tempted to just plant them anyway even though it would make no sense.
At some point, probably a week after the move, I opened the packet and took a look at the Coast Redwood instructions. In big bold red letters it stated: Sow immediately upon receipt. Then this as well: Note - germination rate is characteristically low (20%) for this species. I figured I had lost the chance to grow anything since I waited a month but threw them in a seedling pot anyway thinking I'll try and if it doesn't work, I will order more. The packet had 50 seeds, so I split those seeds between 3 seedling pots. To my surprise, a seed sprouted about a week and a half later. First, one seedling in a pot, then two in the same pot. Now it's four seedlings in one pot and one seedling in another pot. Take a look, click on the picture for a bigger image:
The seed- ling on the left - alone in the pot - looks a bit different from the others. I will post the sowing instruc- tions when I get a chance. As a note, they specifically called for shade, so they are sitting in my room on the west side of my apartment (i.e., afternoon light) and are about 3-4 feet away from the window.My dilemma now is, do I repot the seedlings that are crowding each other? I am not sure. But my guess is that as they get bigger, all but one will die off and possibly none will make it. If I attempt to repot a seedling, there's a risk that the stress will kill it. I haven't decided yet what I will do.
This is what Whatcom Seed Company says about the Coast Redwood:
"California's magnificent Coast Redwood is the world's tallest known tree and one of the world's oldest trees. Some trees have been measured at more than 360 feet (see height comparison). These giant evergreens inhabit a narrow strip along the Pacific Ocean from central California to southern Oregon. The Coast Redwood has excellent ornamental value, as specimen or feature tree or planted in groups. They are fast growers, up to 2 feet per year, and make excellent windbreaks and privacy screens while still young (their fast growth is an added advantage). Their beautiful foliage and bark is a perfect backdrop for smaller shrubs with similar growing conditions. They do not require trimming as a rule, and their drought resistance make them fairly maintenance free once established."
I found the seeds under the bonsai link... Apparently you can cultivate these as bonsai as well, though I don't have instructions for that. Something I learned recently is that any tree can be grown as a bonsai. Bonsai is not a species, just a way a tree is grown. A bonsai coast redwood would be cool, but so would a huge tree in my living room. Maybe I will try both if I can repot the seedlings.
Update - 5/23/10
Sowing instructions below, click on picture to see larger image:
I found the seeds under the bonsai link... Apparently you can cultivate these as bonsai as well, though I don't have instructions for that. Something I learned recently is that any tree can be grown as a bonsai. Bonsai is not a species, just a way a tree is grown. A bonsai coast redwood would be cool, but so would a huge tree in my living room. Maybe I will try both if I can repot the seedlings.
Update - 5/23/10
Sowing instructions below, click on picture to see larger image:
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