Glyptostrobus pensilis (Chinese Swamp Cypress) seeds

[Cajunrider]

I just got a package of these seeds from Sheffield. The plan is to germinate these, grow them, and then keep one or two for bonsai. The rest will be planted on my friend's land. They will have a hard time competing with the bald, pond cypress, willows etc. but I hope some will survive.

I know the better plan is to wait til spring to try to germinate these but I am so itchy to do it now. Should I?

 

[nuttiest]

when in doubt plant half

 

[Cajunrider]

when in doubt plant half

And double the agony of waiting for them to germinate?

 

[nuttiest]

Yeah, it's you what was I thinking?

 

[nuttiest]

I was going to do some at the same time but I remembered I have 2 more bean tree varieties to plant, so at least you got me to start on that tomorrow. You really get a lot of interesting things done, thanks for the motivation.

 

[Cajunrider]

The seeds are still in stratification. I am not even sure that they would even germinate and whether they are really Glyptostrobus pensilis. Earlier I mentioned about planting them on my friend's land. Now I want to rethink it. Granted it is a endangered species and there is a desire to keep them growing. However, there is a question about planting such species in the US. I don't want to cause any environmental issue. In bonsai pots, I can contain their growth. Planting them out in the wild presents bigger challenges.

 

[nuttiest]

I think you are right to refrain from planting a potentially competing species. Although this is probably not an old growth virgin cypress forest, so there are different choices when it is private property with other types of trees. What is the owner future plans for development?

 

[Cajunrider]

I think you are right to refrain from planting a potentially competing species. Although this is probably not an old growth virgin cypress forest, so there are different choices when it is private property with other types of trees. What is the owner future plans for development?

The owner simply wants to turn his roughly 2000 acres into a private wildlife reserve for the future generations to enjoy. It used to be part farmland part undeveloped land. He has planted thousands of trees of all kinds, most of which are trees native to Louisiana. I have planted lots of bald cypress on the land as well.

 

[nuttiest]

That is a lot of acres and planting!

 

[Cajunrider]

1 seed germinated

 

[czaczaja]

What's your stratification method? I have done the moist towel+fridge but every time the mold appears.. I have decided to put them in a vermiculite mix and leave them in the greenhouse to stratify naturally this winter, I really hope it works out.
Also ordered some Montezuma Cypress seeds from US after seeing your post

 

[Cajunrider]

I put them in moist vermiculite and put them in the refrigerator. I am not sure I like it because only one seed germinates so far.

 

[czaczaja]

I put them in moist vermiculite and put them in the refrigerator. I am not sure I like it because only one seed germinates so far.

No Montezuma for me. Seeds got turned back at the customs

 

[Cajunrider]

My lone seedling from this batch of seeds.

 

[Cajunrider]

So much riding on the only one.

 

[czaczaja]

So much riding on the only one.
View attachment 524691

Is that the one that germinated back in November?

 

[Cajunrider]

Is that the one that germinated back in November?

Yes. Being winter it barely grows at all.

 

[czaczaja]

Yes. Being winter it barely grows at all.

Stay strong little buddy

 

[Cajunrider]

The warm weather brought me two more little delightful surprises.

 

[Cajunrider]

One more pops up so I now have 4 seedlings.