Sequoia sempervirens - Coast Redwood - Fresh seed from 2023

500-600+ seed - 5g - Five grams

Sequoia sempervirens is currently the tallest living organism on the planet.   

Sequoia sempervirens is a very large tree, suitable for plantations, carbon sequestration, large gardens or parks. Fast growing once established, beautiful specimen tree or for bonsai.  It is a naturally durable soft wood coniferous species with lumber suitable for fencing and posts, decking, sleepers, shingles, doors, panelling, furniture and general construction. 
 
This is more cost effective compared to buying 10 or 50 seeds at a time. Sowing a larger amount of seed will improve seedling success rate. 
 
Sequoia sempervirens seed has a germination rate of about 5 - 10%, which is very low, so for 600 seed you might estimate 30 to 60 seedlings. This is a good reason to buy a large amount of seed, as it will ensure successful germination of at least a few healthy trees. Further it is so easy to loose a few when transplanting, or to insects, disease or forgetting to water them.

 It is believed the low seed viability may be an evolutionary tactic to discourage seed predators, which do not want to waste time sorting chaff (empty seeds) from edible seeds. Some websites report that seed germination rates can be increased if seeds are exposed to fire or smoke.   

Planting instructions: sow the seeds in a good seed raising mixture or coir pods and keep moist. They require year round soil moisture of at least 15-20 percent. 

If sowing in bulk, sow in deep containers (250mm deep min). This will avoid the need for transplanting for the first few seasons. Pot up or plant out when the seedlings are a decent size with a strong root system, at about 5-10cm tall.  

If sowing into pods/tubes, sow at rate of approximately 20 seed per pod/tube, as this will average about one -two seedlings per tube. If more than one germinates in the tube, separate after secondary leaves and even branching has begun to ensure a good root system. Pot up or transplant when 5-10cm tall.

For bonsai sow generously directly into pot.  It is not recommended to sow into a shallow seed tray unless it is for bonsai training. Transplanting from a tray can be time consuming and you can loose many of your little plants. The trees are excellent bonsai specimens.

Never let seedlings dry out as they will die. 

   
Wikipedia has more information:  Sequoia_sempervirens .

Coast redwoods are very tolerant of competition, enjoy growing in groves and can be planted quite close to each other to form magnificent forests which dwarf other species. They are able to share water by connecting their massive root systems underground. Their massive root systems are excellent for erosion control. Mature trees are able to survive bushfires. 

They prefer a temperate climate with lots of water. Preferred soils include degraded volcanic and mineral mountain soils. They will do well in clay and loam, but can suffer in sandy soils that dry out in summer. They do better near a permanent water supply such as dam, creek or river and will also do well in boggy areas that suffer from water-logging in winter. These trees require a lot of water and do well in areas of high humidity or frequent fog.

Seeds can also take a long time to germinate, especially when cold, sometimes taking up to 4 months. Germination rates are best in Spring or with a bedding temperature of 20-24 C. 

Seeds are from the 2023 season, collected in April and May 2023. The seeds are being stratified in cold storage at 0-4 degrees Celsius since collection in order to maintain freshness and viability. Please refrigerate them upon receiving, until they are sown.

The parent trees are located on Mountain Highway in Sassafras, Victoria 3787. 

Images show the parent trees, seeds and cones, leaves, and the last image shows a seedling in leaf litter. The seeds being sold were collected underneath the tree in the primary photo. 

Please note, the seeds have been sifted and manually inspected to remove as much chaff as possible, but there will be seeds of a variety of sizes and also a small amount of chaff such as bits of cone, leaf, twig and resin.