Time frame needed for bald cypress from seed

[Cioffi]

Is there enough time in the season to cold stratify bald cypress seeds and get them going in pots? It's my understanding that the time for stratification is three months, which would mean the seedlings go in pots some time in September.

 

[crab apple]

I am interested in this too. Also would like to know when you can harvest the cones, do they need to turn brown b4 collecting?

 

[Mellow Mullet]

They need to be at least brownish. I usually wait until they are crumbly. I have picked them green, but not many of the seeds sprouted.

No need to stratify, just sow them in some potting soil and keep them wet.

 

[BrianBay9]

I was just reading that they want saturated soil (but not under water) for up to 3 months to germinate.

 

[Mellow Mullet]

I was just reading that they want saturated soil (but not under water) for up to 3 months to germinate.

I just water the pot with my other trees, usually sprout in a month or two.

 

[Cioffi]

Just to be clear, no cold stratification? Instead, put right into soil, water, and wait several months. Should I b fine, then, going into winter? That is, keep the seedlings outside? I'm in Zone 5/6.

 

[BrianBay9]

I would not let them freeze

 

[Paul F.]

I just bought some online (10 seeds) and I just planted them like two weeks ago and 6 out of the 10 came up. No stratification. I had two floaters but sowed them anyway but they haven’t popped up.

 

[Cioffi]

I just bought some online (10 seeds) and I just planted them like two weeks ago and 6 out of the 10 came up. No stratification. I had two floaters but sowed them anyway but they haven’t popped up.

This is helpful. I may just split the seeds into two groups and try both methods.

 

[Srt8madness]

I am interested in this too. Also would like to know when you can harvest the cones, do they need to turn brown b4 collecting?

Yes, and my experience from last season I will never collect early again. If you want, they basically fall apart themselves, if you collect early you're stuck (literally) separating cones, covered in sap.

Never again.

 

[Paul F.]

This is helpful. I may just split the seeds into two groups and try both methods.

I did soak them for like two days just in some H20… forgot to mention that

 

[Cajunrider]

Yes, and my experience from last season I will never collect early again. If you want, they basically fall apart themselves, if you collect early you're stuck (literally) separating cones, covered in sap.

Never again.

That bad huh.
I just pick the cones from the trees after they have turned brown, leave them in a cardboard box to dry under my porch for a month. Then I put them in an old crawfish sack and whack it with my bo staff a couple dozen times. Then I put them in the pots and sprinkle an inch of soil on top and keep the soil wet. In two months I have more seedlings than I need.

 

[Cajunrider]

That bad huh.
I just pick the cones from the trees after they have turned brown, leave them in a cardboard box to dry under my porch for a month. Then I put them in an old crawfish sack and whack it with my bo staff a couple dozen times. Then I put them in the pots and sprinkle an inch of soil on top and keep the soil wet. In two months I have more seedlings than I need.

Come to think of it, I've been meaning to replace the sand in my heavy bag with something lighter. I'm getting older and don't quite need a 150 lb feed back mass for my punches and kicks. Fill it with BC cones?

 

[Srt8madness]

All great until a sharp edge pokes ya

 

[Cajunrider]

All great until a sharp edge pokes ya

No worse than the sharp gravel I used to use.
PS: I'm getting soft. I most likely will put them in heavy plastic contractor trash bag before putting them in the punch bag. Collecting in November then 3 months of punching and kicking and the cones should be ready for planting in the spring.

 

[Cioffi]

No worse than the sharp gravel I used to use.
PS: I'm getting soft. I most likely will put them in heavy plastic contractor trash bag before putting them in the punch bag. Collecting in November then 3 months of punching and kicking and the cones should be ready for planting in the spring.

So you don't cold stratify and all that? I live in Zone 5a/6. Do you think I could get away with soaking them and simply putting them in soil?

 

[Cajunrider]

So you don't cold stratify and all that? I live in Zone 5a/6. Do you think I could get away with soaking them and simply putting them in soil?

For BC yes. I did a batch in Ohio for my brothers, In March brought up some seeds that's been sitting in my garage. We put them in a big pot under 1" of soil. He watered it well every few days, making sure the soil remained wet. By end of May we had a bunch of BC seedlings.