Victorim`s WBP (Welsh Black Pines).. From Wales.

[Victorim]

Wasn't sure whether I wanted to take part, but has been playing in the back of mind. Will be a good exercise for many reasons and may end up with a killer small JBP or two in a few years. I`m in. Seed order below from www.treeseedonline.com , UK site. (5g is approx 250 seeds)




Tree Seed Online Ltd

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• Order Date November 5th 2017, 8:50:10pm
• Order Number 142219####

SHIPPING ADDRESS
Ben Elvy

##, ########

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Carmarthen, WLS, ######

GB

benelvy@sky.com

07791######

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ORDER SUMMARY


Japanese Black Pine (pinus thunbergii)
Qty: 1
Select Seed Quantity: 5 grams
£2.60
Subtotal £2.60
Shipping £1.40
Taxes £0.00
Order Total
£4.00

 

[Victorim]

Hello little ones.. No. It's not time yet.

 

[Victorim]

After midnight, so jan 1st, I thought we'll try a few early starts. The main batch will start in March, be cold stratified and go in DE and sand.

15 seed went into soak:


This evening we still had 3 floaters, in the bin with them. No strating on these 13 and no sand.

Washed some DE. Put some sphagnham moss in a blender, mixed with the DE at maybe 10%, tamped lightly. Poked some holes a few mm deap, popped the seeds in and covered with a few mm of the blended sphag. On to the kitchen window sill.

 

[Victorim]

Life! there was no sign so I added a heat mat 5 days ago. two popping up tonight. (just watered it so looks swampy)

 

[Victorim]

I know it's not.. But why do I think the seed case is going to fire off and smash the window..

 

[keri-wms]

Just watered but still looks a bit too wet to me? I grew a heap of them last year, the driest ones in pure Perlite were the happiest! I only mention it as damping off SUCKS if it happens.

 

[Victorim]

Hoping the sphag is keeping that at bay. @Bonsai Nut is getting the blame if that happens

 

[Victorim]

Well 7 sprouted from the 15. 2 collapsed a few days ago, kept them dryer, and the other 5 were flopping over, withering roots.

Ah well. On with the main batch and plan when it's warmer outside.

 

[Anthony]

Could you have just bought a peatmoss/perlite medium and added gravel
to enhance the drainage ?
Good Day
Anthony

 

[Victorim]

Could you have just bought a peatmoss/perlite medium and added gravel
to enhance the drainage ?
Good Day
Anthony

Think perlite and a drainage layer would do better? Still using the heat mat and with light levels as they are?

 

[Bilbo_Baggins]

If it helps, I use a good seedling starter soil with added perlite.
Water alternating with tap water and tap water with a bonide copper additive.

 

[Potawatomi13]

Growing in house is bad idea and likely problem. Outdoors protect from birds/squirrels.

 

[Victorim]

Well the main batch got planted today. Not many floaters, but have sown them anyway.

About an inch and a half of DE in heavy seed trays. Scattered on the surface, and then a very light covering of fine DE. Outside in a spot they won't get too heavily rained on, or sat on by the cats.

 

[keri-wms]

I found the local cats go into autopilot when they see a seed tray full of cat litter!!! I used A3 ish ziplock bags to seal them up.

 

[Victorim]

Slow but strong. As they were today..

 

[Victorim]

And today was cutting day! Pretty much following @markyscott 's method. Top man.

Preping the trays:


Chop chop:


And the end. Took alot longer than expected. They are now covered on a bench.

And method questions, refer to Scots thread. Even the same rooting mix.

Wish me luck

 

[Clicio]

They look great!

 

[Victorim]

Thought I'd better transplant the leftovers. Picked the best 30 odd.

 

[Fonz]

Looking great! Looks like you're a few weeks ahead of me. Damn you basdun!

 

[Victorim]

3 of the 5 cutting trays doing well. Dunno what happened to 2 of the trays.. think they went too dry and fried.