2 needle pine from seed

[Grizz]

I received a gift of black pine from a seed kit, which came in a galvanized square box. So, I decided to give it a whirl. I used the box and soil for a scarlet oak acorn that was growing in my bushes.

I also found some pine cones in the neighborhood. So, I said why not. They are a two needle variety and I belive they might be red pine. Really I have no idea. There are many of the trees growing in the area.

I built a wood box and planted the black pine and the miscellaneous seeds. They are now growing. Not all but a few.

I was wondering what the ideal root hormone wound be?

I have two Dip and Grow and Rooting (by green light)

 

[iant]

Why do you need root hormone? They're seedlings not cuttings right?
Ian

 

[tmmason10]

I presume you are making seedling cuttings with your pines? I don't know what hormone is best but I just used powder from home depot.

 

[Grizz]

In the Bonsai today (pine book) pine from seed, the narrator suggests cutting the seedlings when the stem turns violet. At that time it is suggested that root hormone be applied.

I curious of the iba concentration that works better. Rooting is 0.1%IBA.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

IIRC, the article shows him cutting the seedlings, and letting them fall into a bucket of water that included rooting hormone, so a diluted dip-n-gro may be the closest approximation. The last time I did seedling black pine cuttings, I just used Rootone and had about 50% success. It's a lot of effort, and you need to start with a lot of seeds to end up with a few pines worth developing. My last effort was in '09:

50 mikawa seeds, which became
40 seedlings, half of which were culled for bad needles.
20 were made into cuttings
Half survived, some were given away.
3 decent pines are growing out in the ground...10" tall after 3 years.

Maybe it's not my gift, or it's just a ton of work to get to this point! I hope yours goes well.

 

[sean f]

If you are cutting the seedlings for radial root growth,thereis a great thread on here with step by step instructions

 

[Grizz]

It sounds like I should just not screw with the one black pine seedling and just turn it into a landscape pine, with a lot of sentimental value. Maybe I will try cutting the miselanious seedling to see what they turn into.