Germination methods for cones

[Appliance Guy]

Hi everyone. I came across a local short needle pine and was able to collect cones, so I figured I'd try germination. I have read a couple internet snips and they promote keeping the fallen seeds in the freezer for 60-90 days before planting. Was wondering what methods some of you folks are having success with??? The variety is unknown. It is a short needle pine, likely of native origin. The cones are approximately 2". The cones were ground collected from two large, mature trees next to each other. The cones are still closed. I am in Zone 9a, right along the coast.

Thanks!

Timbo

 

[garywood]

AG, kinda makes you wonder how they continue in nature without freezers Seriously though, not many pines require stratification, only alpine pines benefit. Soak the cones in %10 bleach and water for 24hr, dry in a paper bag or small screen(small enough to hold the seeds) and keep in a cool dark place until they open. Store at ambient temperature in cool dark place until you are ready to sow in spring. Pensacola should be ready to sow in March (guessing) so soak the seeds over night and sow. Keep medium moist until seedlings emerge.

 

[edprocoat]

Hey appliance guy if it has short needles in northern Florida its probably Pinus echinata the common name is short leaf pine. I have been looking for one of these for some time now, not easy to come by for certain. Its a yellow pine and has range into northern florida which would be perfect for my lifestyle. It seems a great Bonsai choice as the needles are only between just under 3 inchews long to just over 4 inches max. No idea about propagation though, sorry ....

ed

 

[reefed419]

What's Up Bro!

Timbo,
Hey did some browsing and came across this website for you.

 

[Appliance Guy]

Gary- I'm happy to say we live in world of appliances.

Ed- Yes! Quite possibly Pinus echinada. Indeed a handsome species. I was at a customers house and inquired about the pines he had out front. He did not know variety but said they had several throughout the neighborhood. I am also going to go back to look for saplings. I did a quick look but did not get deep into the azalea underbrush.

Brian- yeah, I saw that too. I'm thinking that 60-90 days from now IS Spring, so we best get started now. Was thinking of bringing them into the house and letting them naturally open. Then collect the seeds and do a papertowel in plastic bag technique. Then plant in potting soil mix.

Thinking that might take 60-90 days. Kinda depends on when they open. The tree had, what I would guess to be, half of it's cones still on the tree. They were in clusters of two and three.

 

[sorce]

You can open them with the heat of the oven.
Just set em on top, or wherever its warm, inside even.

All the seeds fall right out! Keep foil under.

Sorce

 

[jeanluc83]

Since it is likely a warm weather pine cold stratification is not required. Give the cones a couple of weeks to open. They will likely open on their own with a little time. If not try the heating method. Collect all the seeds that drop and remove the wings.

Once you get all the seeds you can soak them for about 24 hrs in warmish water. Discard any that float. Plant the rest and place them out side in the shade. There is no need to store them and wait until spring. They will start to grow when the time is right. Nature will take care of that. Make sure that you keep an eye on them so that they don't dry out.

Once they start to grow get them into full sun as soon as you can. This will help with fungal issues. It is also helpful to find a place with good air flow but little wind.

I had good luck last year starting seeds in my substrate covered with about 1/4" of sand. Plant the seeds about 1/4" deep. I used a seed starter tray but I found that a shallow tray works better. You can see what I did with my pitch pine seedlings here.

 

[jk_lewis]

Knowing the way to germinate any seeds you get from the cones, depends 100% on what KIND of pine it is. It may be short needle or it may not. If it is still closed, it may not open now that it is off the tree. Some pine cones need fire to open. So, get a definite ID. Take it to your local County Extension office and have someone give you the right info. They also can tell you how that pine germinates. Guesswork like is happening here only leads to frustration.

 

[reefed419]

Ed, I am thinking the cones he collected might be from a Pinus glabra AKA Spruce Pine, but I may be wrong as he collected them from a customers house and it might not have been a native tree.

Jean, That was some good info, thanks for sharing.

Anyone worked with Pinus glabra?

 

[Appliance Guy]

It's looking like P. clausa.

Cool stuff...

P. clausa- http://www.na.fs.fed.us/pubs/silvics_manual/Volume_1/pinus/clausa.htm
P. glabra- http://www.na.fs.fed.us/pubs/silvics_manual/Volume_1/pinus/glabra.htm
P. echinata- http://www.na.fs.fed.us/pubs/silvics_manual/Volume_1/pinus/echinata.htm

 

[jeanluc83]

If it is indeed P. clausa you will need it looks like you may need some heat to open the cones:

The majority of Ocala sand pine cones are serotinous: they remain closed when mature and require heat to open.

The others look like they open on their own in late October early November. The fact that your cones are closed is a good case for sand pine.

Good luck

 

[reefed419]

Well it will be hard to figure the species without a picture of the parent tree. By chance did you happen to snap a picture of the tree they came from? I hope you can easily gain access to the seeds and the germination is a success.

 

[Appliance Guy]

So the cones have opened on their own. Seeds have not dropped though.

 

[jeanluc83]

So the cones have opened on their own. Seeds have not dropped though.

Give them a few firm taps on something hard to dislodge the seeds. They can be reluctant sometimes. You may just need to give them a little longer to fully open.