Dwarf Mugo Pine seeds

[BuggsBalmer]

Hi everyone

I'm looking for some advice on sowing and germination of Dwarf Mugo Pine seeds in the southern hemisphere. It's a species I've been wanting to get for a while, but due to the laws and restrictions in place in South Africa, it's seriously hard to get any actual material. I've finally managed to get hold of some seeds, and with a limited number I'm obviously very wary of messing up and losing my shot.

From what I've read online, it seems that they should be fine if not sowed in the middle of winter, but info for southern hemisphere locations is hard to come by. We're still in early autumn now (maples aren't even turning yet), and 4-6 weeks of cold strat from now would take us into early winter (our seasons in Grahamstown seem to be a month or so behind the rest of the planet, don't ask, I don't know).

Is there any specific prep the species needs, and do the seedlings need protection following germination assuming they pop up in winter, or should that be avoided if possible?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, I've had very minimal success with pine seeds in the past (Cluster Pine, mainly).

Thanks!

 

[Shibui]

Why germinate in mid winter? Seeds that require stratification are programmed to not grow when cold but to wait for warmer spring after winter.
I doubt that keeping these seeds for a few months will render them unable to germinate and the seedlings will grow better in spring.
Having said that SA 'winter' is probably more like spring for this species. Even little seedlings are unlikely to require and protection from the few degrees of frost you or I are likely to experience but I'd still post pone sowing until later - stratify through winter then sow as weather warms for spring.

Good luck with getting a few started.

 

[BuggsBalmer]

Why germinate in mid winter? Seeds that require stratification are programmed to not grow when cold but to wait for warmer spring after winter.
I doubt that keeping these seeds for a few months will render them unable to germinate and the seedlings will grow better in spring.
Having said that SA 'winter' is probably more like spring for this species. Even little seedlings are unlikely to require and protection from the few degrees of frost you or I are likely to experience but I'd still post pone sowing until later - stratify through winter then sow as weather warms for spring.

Good luck with getting a few started.

Wasn't specifically planning to get them to germinate mid winter, just that the stuff I've read says to sow seeds in autumn or spring. I assume the autumnal sowing intends to make use of actual winter for stratification, but as you mentioned I'm not convinced we'll get cold enough for that to do the job.

Left to my own devices I would probably look to sow in July/August after a few weeks in the fridge, which goes along with your suggestion as well.

Thanks for the input, hopefully a few come right!

 

[Shibui]

I assume the autumnal sowing intends to make use of actual winter for stratification, but as you mentioned I'm not convinced we'll get cold enough for that to do the job.

Apologies, I misunderstood. I use this strategy for most seeds here using winter as a natural stratification. Nights get down to -3C or -4C quite often through winter here and that seems to be adequate for most species.
I had very poor germination of white pine seed except the ones where I cracked the nuts before sowing (white pine has tough outer shell around the seed). Colder temps my help crack those shells?
Mugho is from relatively cold areas. I have not had access to mugho seed so no direct experience but they may need the extra cold to break dormancy so i would stratify at least some of the batch in the fridge.
Mould is common in fridge stratification. Try sanitizing seeds with hydrogen peroxide to remove existing spores and pests before putting them in the fridge.

 

[BuggsBalmer]

Apologies, I misunderstood

No worries man, I realise I wasn't clear with my intentions of fridging them. We're a little warmer than you on average, but have a good couple of weeks in mid-winter below freezing.

The only other pines I've tried have been wild-collected Cluster Pine, and those germinated well in the fridge, but then failed once they were moved outside despite the care I took not to damage them. I currently have a batch of Prunus mume in the fridge as well, but literature states they need several months of cold strat and sometimes even repeated strat treatments as they are preserved seeds and not fresh. I had dismal success with Swamp Cypress last year as well, with three out of about 45 seeds germinating. Hoping I can maximise success on the Mugo's having learnt from the other stuff.

Try sanitizing seeds with hydrogen peroxide to remove existing spores and pests before putting them in the fridge.

Thanks for this. Have been struggling with mould on some of my Prunus. Will give that a try with my next batch...

 

[Backwardsvg]

I have just germinated and grew 200+ mugos. If you want to message me I can help how I can.

I am in the N hemisphere so it will be backwards but I would be more than happy to let you know my results!

 

[Gollum169]

How did these mugos turn out for you guys?