Jan 2 Put 2 of each: Sugar Maple, Dogwood, Spicebush in ziplock bag with
wet napkin. These seeds have been in the refridgerator since being collected on
10/20/96.
Jan 3 Put 1 Loblolly and 5 Shortleaf pine seeds on wet napkin in a
ziplock bag. These seeds are from a friend who collected pine cones in South
Carolina. The Shortleaf Pine is actually a native to south central Ohio, but I
don't know if a tree from SC will survive an OH winter.
Jan 5 Moved Sugar Maple, Dogwood, Spicebush seeds to seed starter mix in
styrafoam cups. These are all still in a warmer bedroom. Also put 2 Green Ash
seeds in small Jiffy squares and put in same tray as the others. The Green Ash
seeds are from a well shaped tree growing at a local Pizza Hut. I am using
these to experiment on.
Jan 8 First Shortleaf Pine germinated. Moved to a pot and put under
lights in the basement.
Jan 9 Squished one of my Sugar Maple seeds. It was showing green, but
when touched it squished into nothing. I don't know if this seed was rotted, or
if I should have taken a hands off approach.
Jan 10 Moved all of the Shortleaf Pine seeds to cups (styrafoam cups with
seed started mix) and placed under lights. My one Loblolly Pine seed rotted.
Planted 3 Tulip Tree seeds in 1 pot, checking to see if valid first. I think I
found 3, but it is very difficult to tell. Planted 1 White Ash seed in a cup.
All of these are now under lights in the basement.
Jan 14 First Shortleaf Pine to germinate is about 1/2 inch high and the
first set of needles is coming out of the now raised seed. Remaining Maple seed
looks rotted. One Green Ash seed looks to be swollen on one end.
Jan 15 Planted 18 Purple Coneflower seeds in cups. Put seeds on top of
soil mix, pressed in firmly. These seeds are from Prairie Nursery in Wisconsin.
Planted 18 Cardinal Flower seeds from seed collected from our plants in
September. Seeds are very small so I sprinkled on top of soil mix. Second
Shortleaf Pine germinated today.
Lights on at 6AM, off at 10PM - 16 HOURS/DAY
Basement temperature stays between 62F and 64F.
Using standard shop florescent light fixtures with 1 cool white and 1 warm white
bulb. The lights are kept 3 inches above soil or plants. We are using a seed
started mix and large styrafoam drinking cups. I poke holes in the bottom of
the cups and then fill with the soil mix. I soak the soil mix in hot water
until saturated, flatten the surface, and then plant seeds. Each seed tray
holds 18 styrafoam cups.
Jan 18 Planted 18 Foxglove Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis). Put seeds
on top of soil and pressed in firmly. These seeds are from Prairie Moon Nursery
in Minnesota. Brought seedling White Fringe Trees in from garage. These were
purchased from Burpee last spring. Placed below south window in upstairs
bedroom. Watered with light fertilizer.
Jan 19 Planted 18 Columbines. Put 1 seed per pot, each seed laying on top
of soil mix. These seeds are from Prairie Nursery. Moved Purple Coneflowers to
warmer upstairs bedroom. I have not covered any seed tray with plastic.
Jan 22 First Purple Coneflower germinates. 7 days after planting. Moved
back to basement under lights.
Jan 23 Put White Ash, Green Ash, Spice Bush, Dogwood, Amsonia, NJ Tea,
Swamp Milkweed seeds in ziplock bags on wet napkins. Put in warm bedroom near
heating vent. Planted 3 more Shortleaf Pines in pots under lights.
Jan 25 First New Jersey Tea sprouted in bag. Cathy carefully removed from
the bag and planted in a cup under lights.
Jan 26 4 Purple Coneflowers now growing. The 3rd Shortleaf Pine has
germinated, the others are growing well. Took video of Coneflowers and Pines.
Started this web page.
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Shortleaf Pine, Day 18
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Purple Coneflower, Day 4
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Jan 28
2 more NJ tea have germinated in bags.
Jan 30
First Penstemon digitalis germinated. 9 Coneflowers now growing. First
Columbine germinated. 3rd Pine is about 1 inch high already. Cathy is planting
the 2 NJ teas.
Jan 31
3 Penstemon germinated, 2 columbine.
Feb 1
Planted 2 white ash seeds from bags into pots. One has a small root, the other
is just protruding from one end. Put 20 Tulip tree seeds on a wet towel in a
plastic bag upstairs.
Feb 2
Fringe Trees have started to break bud already. Moved River Birch seedling from
side of house indoors. This seedling came up in the mulch on the side of the
house.
Feb 3
First Cardinal Flower has germinated! Leaves are smaller than the tip of a pin.
All but 6 Coneflowers are now growing. Older Coneflowers have first set of true
leaves.
Feb 4
Moved the smallest and possibly dead serviceberry seedling indoors. This was an
extra from Musser Forests, but I think it is dead. Moved River Birch seedling
to living room window. Also moved a White Ash seedling to the living room. This
4 inch high plant was rescued from the construction area behind our house. I
think it may be dead also.
Feb 5
Many of the seeds in plastic bags started to develop mold, so I cleaned all of
them and put in a tray with wet towels. I am covering this with plastic. I will
remove the plastic and check the seeds every night. I filed the seed coats of
all the dogwood seeds, and poked small holes in half of them. Also put more
soil in Dogwood and Spicebush cups and re-planted. Cleaned and soaked all
un-germinated seeds for 4 hours in warm water. All the original cups do not
have enough soil. I need to fill these to the very top, wet, and then fill
again before planting.
Feb 6
Another Pine seed germinated. I was about to throw this one out. Some white
fuzzy stuff is appearing on dogwood seeds. I wipe off every morning.
Feb 8
2 to 3 inches of snow last night. First significant snowfall of the year.
Feb 9
1 Columbine has first set of leaves (not true leaves). All but 3 Coneflowers
have germinated. Still only 1 Cardinal flower, and 3 Penstemons. I think I will
have to re-pot all of these. Soil is too low in cup and green slime is
developing. Easy for Penstemon, but I can't see the Cardinal Flower seeds, so I
guess I will replant. Still have hundreds of seeds in the fridge.
Feb 10
Purchased a 'Humidome' seed starter kit to cover seeds.
Feb 11
2 more Cardinal Flowers germinated. I guess I will wait to replant.
Feb 12
Found another Cardinal Flower growing in a clump of dirt on the side of a cup.
This is the problem with these small seeds. I carefully moved it to the center
of the cup. Dug up the small Arborday foundation Dogwood (the only one that
lived) and planted in a pot in the garage. I covered the seeds in the
'Humidome' with a wet paper towel to increase moisture.
Feb 13
Brought Dogwood into upstairs bedroom with the Fringe Trees. 2 inches of snow
fell tonight.
Feb 14
Planted 1 White Oak, 2 Red Oaks, and one unknown Oak acorn in medium size pots
in front of the living room window. All of these were stored in bags in the
fridge. The White Oak and the smaller (possible Swamp White Oak) acorns have
roots emerging.
Feb 16
Planted 18 Yellow Coneflowers in cups. Pushed into soil, covered very lightly.
Planted 9 Lions Foot, same as above. Planted 9 Downy Woodmints, very small
seed. Covered lightly with wet soil. Planted 2 Butterfly Weed seeds in 1 cup,
covered lightly. Filled all cups to the top with potting mix. I put dry seed
starter mix in an empty tray, added hot water, and mushed until all soil was
wet. Put into cups pressing firmly until full. Hopefully this will prevent the
green slime problem.
Feb 17
Another Maple seed turned to green mush. I took the paper towel off of seeds in
Humidome. After reading a Bonsai article on germinating seeds I now think I am
keeping them too damp. The article reccommended keeping the towel just barely
moist, and re-wetting when it stiffens. The seeds will maintain moisture, but
not be so wet as to promote mold and fungus. We will see. Put 10 Swamp Milkweed
seeds and 6 more White Ash seeds in Humidome.
Feb 18
First tree purchase of the year, a 3' Tulip Tree and a 1' Kentucky Coffe Tree.
Re-potted both into larger pots. Washed original soil off roots. Tulip Tree had
circling roots so I carefully un-tangled and pruned where needed. Coffee Tree
was root pruned already. Moved a Tupelo from a pot outdoors into fresh soil and
put in front of living room window. Root growth was incredible. These were tube
grown trees from Musser Forests, purchased in late summer last year. Roots have
grown to fill bottom of pot. High temp today was 65F. Vernal Witchhazel is now
starting to bloom. It started to open 2 weeks ago, but stopped when colder
weather hit.
Feb 19
First Yellow Coneflower germinated!
Feb 20
65F again today. Used transplant fertilizer 3-12-4 on Tuliptree, Coffee Tree,
Dogwood, Tupelo, and Serviceberry.
Feb 21
69F today. Took all dogwood seeds and filed down until I could see embryo on 3
sides. 5 seeds were hollow. Took Spicebush seeds and carefully removed seed
coat. Did the same with Mapleleaf viburnum seeds. Soaked all of these overnight
in warm water and then put in a sealed container with damp paper towel. Took 2
Sugar Maple seeds and removed seed coat. Seeds were green, with the entire
plant in minature showing. Soaked for 30 minutes and placed on damp towel in a
separate container. Lost 2 other Maple seeds to green mush. 1 Mapleleaf
viburnum also turned to mush. Too wet again?
Feb 23
Transplanted 2 Shortleaf Pine seedlings into small pots and placed in front of
window. Roots for both had filled bottom of cups. Planted 36 Cardinal Flower
and 36 Columbine seeds in the seed starting flat that came with the Humidome.
Each pot is 1 1/2 inches wide and 2 inches deep. I used seed starting mix but I
covered the top with 1/4 inch vermiculite that had been soaked in water.
Hopefully this will eliminate or slow down the green slime that is growing on
most of the seed starting mix.
Feb 25
Both Butterfly Weed seeds germinated.
Feb 27
The Spicebush seeds germinated!
Feb 28
Planted 4 Spicebush seeds into small pots with potting soil. Most of the
Dogwood seed has rotted, but a couple still look ok. 3 Spicebush seeds have
still not germinated. Cleaned all seeds and put back into container with clean
paper towel.
Mar 1
70F today. David Crabapple, Viburnum trilobums, and Bladdernut have started to
break bud. Red Maple bloom buds are swelling. Potentilla already has small
leaves.
Mar 1
Wildflowers have started to emerge in the woods. Transplanted Black Cherry that
was growing beside the garage into a pot and moved indoors. Also transplanted
Indian Magic crabapple into a pot and moved indoors. Pussy Willows are
blooming. Just noticed, probably started blooming last week.
Mar 5
First Oak has come up. This is the acorn that was slightly smaller than a White
Oak acorn and had faint stripes. Lost 1 Spicebush seed to rot but another
germinated so I planted it. All look good.
Mar 8
Moved the Scarlet Oak from the front to back yard where the Indian Magic
crabapple used to be. I think I was able to get the majority of the roots in
the rootball. White Oaks in the garage are starting to emerge. Must have stayed
too warm. I will have to move indoors soon.
Mar 9
Went walking back in the woods and discovered 3 Kentucky Coffee trees on the
other side of the creek. Collected about 10 seed pods that had fallen from the
1 female tree. Used a hack saw blade to carefully cut around one of the seeds
till I could see white on all sides. Put in warm water to soak overnight.
Mar 10
Kentucky Coffee Tree seed that was soaking has split open and half the shell
came off. I moved into container with damp paper towel. Red Maple blooms have
started to emerge. Wahoo leaves have emerged to 1/4 inch. 1 Red Oak acorn
indoors has started to germinate. I cracked open the other Red Oak acorn only
to find a rather large weevel. YUK.
Mar 11
Planted 2 of the small Tupelo purchased from Musser last year into the front
yard. Ammended soil with a peat moss dirt mixture to help acidify it a bit.
Moved the Kentucky Coffee tree that I purchased indoors.
Mar 12
Last week I removed a Bitternut Hickory seed from the fridge. It has now
germinated with a radical about 1 inch long already. I planted in a pot. Moved
the emerging oaks from the garage indoors. 4 new plants arrived today from
Appalachian Gardens. American Beech, Ostrya virginiana, Clematis virginiana,
and Pagoda Dogwood. All in good condition and already leafed out (except for
Beech).
Mar 13
Kentucky Coffee Tree has started to germinate. Radical has grown 1/4 inch
already.
Mar 14
Coffee Tree radical now 1/2 inch long. Took video, will plant tomorrow.
Mar 22
Planted second Coffee Tree in small pot. Red oak has emerged. Purchased a
locally grown Tulip Tree and planted on back hillside.
Mar 23
Planted 31 Liatris spicata bulbs. Purple blooms of Green Ash are just starting
to emerge.
Mar 26
Mayapple is coming up in woods. Woods are covered in flowers. Spring Beauty,
Rue Anemone, Dutchman's Breeches and others.
April 3
Serviceberry in front has begun to bloom, 15 days earlier than last year. Box
Elders have started to bloom. 75F today.
April 4
Serviceberry in full bloom. Other Serviceberries in back look about 1 week
behind. 78F today. White Ash trees are now in full bloom. Box Elders have
started to leaf out. Sugar Maple has started to expand buds. Solomons Seal has
started to emerge in woods.
April 7
78F today and most buds are swelling or breaking. Black Cherries are coming up
all around house so I dug and potted 10 of the largest. Planted Little Bluestem
from pots into area by Fringe Tree. High winds have blown most of the blooms
off the front Serviceberry.
April 9 *Record Cold 17F*
Redbud in front lost over 50% of bloom buds. This tree was from Natorp nursery,
perhaps not from a local seed source? Neighbors Redbud lost ALL bloom buds.
Both are in exposed locations. About 10% of the newly emerging leaves on the
Redbud are blackened. Green Ash (Summit) hit hard. All emerging leaf buds and
blooms have been killed. Fortunatly it has side buds to back these up. Newly
transplanted Black Cherries were not touched. Serviceberries were not touched.
Even the delicate blooms just emerging on Serviceberry in back have no damage.
April 13
Redbuds are now starting to bloom. All Serviceberries in back are now blooming.
Aug 16, 1997 Finally got 1 1/2 inches of rain over last 4 days. First
significant rainfall since the end of June! Most of the Swamp Milkweed seeds
that we collected last fall have germinated. I have potted 3 of them and about
12 seeds that moved with the larger plants have now germinated. Monarchs have
found our Milkweed, I just hope the plants are large enough to sustain them. We
have counted 5 caterpillars so far.
Sept 13, 1997 First planting of the grove area (see History
). Spaced trees aprox. 3 feet apart. Planted 2 Black Cherries, Bur Oak, Tupelo,
Kentucky Coffee Tree, American Elm, 3 Red Maples. Boxelder and Hackberry still
in containers, not ready yet. All 1 year old, grown from local seed, except Red
Maples (1 cultivar, the rest from seeds of a tree in Spring Grove) and Tupelo.
Our grove tries to mimic young woodlands seen around this area, only Red Maple
does not belong. Still have space for 4 more pioneer trees, some shrubs, and
Sugar Maples. I would like to add Swamp White Oak to the grove next year if I
can collect acorns sometime this fall. There is a Swamp White in the woods
behind us that has a pretty good crop, but the woodpeckers, squirrels, and jays
don't seem to want to wait until the acorns mature. We also have a White Ash
that has grown up in the wildflowers next to the grove, and a new seedling that
popped up in the front yard. The tree in front is about 1 foot tall and still
growing. I will move it once the leaves fall, but I haven't decided whether to
keep it in front somewhere, or move it to the back. I have a third White Ash
growing in a container, but it's only on the second set of leaves. This latest
one came from seed I collected last fall. Nothing grew so I put them in a dirt
flat that I scattered other 'failed' seeds in. I was able to get a dozen Swamp
Milkweed and this White Ash from the 'failed' seeds. Who knows, maybe more will
germinate next year.
Questions or Comments? Drop me a note at markws@one.net
. I'll try my best :-)
