Germinating Ponderosa Pine seed - Ask Extension
Last summer a collected 100+ Ponderosa Pine seed from our drive way. They went into an empty prescription bottle and into the refrig in late summer. I...
Knowledgebase
Germinating Ponderosa Pine seed #230704
Asked March 12, 2015, 3:18 PM EDT
Last summer a collected 100+ Ponderosa Pine seed from our drive way. They went into an empty prescription bottle and into the refrig in late summer. In early Nov i took out 25 and planted them 1/4" in DG soil. They have not come up. On March 10 2015 i took out 25 more seed, placed them in a glass of water. They all floated, I planted them anyway. I have been told floaters are not good. How can i get the remaining seed to germinate?
Jackson County Oregon
Expert Response
I would check the seed carefully to see if there are any holes in them. Small insects often bore into seeds and eat the material inside, and the seeds are no longer viable.
Conifer seeds need to be "stratified" before planting. This involves soaking them in water for about 3 days, changing the water daily, and then draining the water, enclosing the seeds in a paper towel, then putting them in a sealed baggy, and leaving them in the refrigerator for about 30 days. This mimics the effects of winter moisture and cold and help break the dormancy of the seed.
You can also plant the seeds in the fall outside to get the same effect.
You might try stratifying the remaining seeds, then planting them in cups or other containers filled with potting soil.
I can send you a handout on growing your own seedlings if you reply with your email address.
Conifer seeds need to be "stratified" before planting. This involves soaking them in water for about 3 days, changing the water daily, and then draining the water, enclosing the seeds in a paper towel, then putting them in a sealed baggy, and leaving them in the refrigerator for about 30 days. This mimics the effects of winter moisture and cold and help break the dormancy of the seed.
You can also plant the seeds in the fall outside to get the same effect.
You might try stratifying the remaining seeds, then planting them in cups or other containers filled with potting soil.
I can send you a handout on growing your own seedlings if you reply with your email address.
