Growing Giant Sequoias From Seed - Trial 2

So, we tried to grow giant sequoias (Sequoiadendron giganteum) from seed indoors this past winter, with pretty poor results.  Although we had about a 10% germination rate, 80% of the trees that germinated ultimately died (without clear cause).  This is a very difficult tree to grow, but persistence is key.

We are again trying to grow sequoias from seed, but this time we are trying to correct our mistakes.  We used regular tap water last time to cold stratify the seeds - but this may have lead to "damping off" or fungal disease.  This time we committed to distilled water.  We tried to grow the sequoias inside, during the winter, under artificial light.  This time we will plant and keep the trees outside even during winter (but in a cold frame if necessary).

So, to start off, we acquired 2000 more sequoia seeds from Myseeds.co, our preferred site.  We expect again about a 10% germination rate, so perhaps around 200 trees.  We plan to distribute these trees across the country for growth with the Waterboxx in a few years.

First, assemble all needed materials.  To stratify (prepare seeds for germination), you will need to following materials:

• A clean paper plate
• Two clean paper towel squares
• A clean sealable kitchen bag
• Sequoia seeds (at least 10 seeds for every desired tree)
• Distilled water (which won't have any fungal spores which can kill young saplings)

What is needed to cold stratify the seeds - paper plate, two paper towels, sealing kitchen bag, seeds, and distilled water

First, wet one of the paper towels with the distilled water.  Lie this paper towel flat on the paper plate.  Then, carefully spread the (small) sequoia seeds on the wet paper towel, as evenly as possible.

Spread the sequoia seeds on the paper towel wetted with the distilled water - do this with clean hands only

Next, take the second paper towel and wet it with the distilled water.  Lay this carefully over the paper plate now covered with sequoia seeds.  If some seeds get pushed off the plate, I would pick them up and put on the plate - remember that each seed may grow into a tree that will store a lifetime of carbon emissions and live for millenia.

Our two thousand covered sequoia seeds (you probably don't need so many seeds unless you have many acres you wish to plant - expect 1 tree per 10 seeds)

Next, we need to make the large paper towel fit in the plastic bag.  We folded the corners of the paper towels in to fit it on the paper plate.  We then slid the paper plate into the bag, labeled it with the date we plan to open it (one month later).

We plan to plant the seeds into their germination site - cone-tainers - in about one month.  After about one to two years - when the trees reach about 12-16 inches in height, the sequoias will be ready to plant.  We will plant the sequoias with the Groasis Waterboxx during our annual spring sequoia donation and planting, or distribute the trees to our customers.

We will update this post with our progress and next steps in early May.

You can visit our main website (or see our previous sequoia results) We would love to hear your comments below.