How to Germinate Taxodium

The Taxodium family contains 16 species of coniferous trees, native to forests and swamps where they are the dominant trees. Well-known Taxodium species include pond cypress, giant sequoia, bald cypress and the dawn redwood. Taxodium species include those that live for thousands of years and grow quite tall. In fact, the world’s tallest tree – the coast redwood – is in the Taxodium family. Taxodium cones ripen from October through December and the seeds should be started as soon as possible after removal from the cone.

Small bowl
Ethyl alcohol
Plastic sandwich bag
Peat moss
Peat-based sowing mix
1-gallon planting pot
Heat mat

Instructions

- 1
  Lay the Taxodium seed in a small bowl and cover it with ethyl alcohol. Allow it to soak for five minutes.
- 2
  Place a handful of barely moistened peat moss into a plastic sandwich bag. Push the Taxodium seed into the moss and seal the bag.
- 3
  Set the bag in the refrigerator and allow it to remain for three months.
- 4
  Remove the peat moss from the bag and plant the seed in a 1-gallon nursery pot filled with peat-based, moist sowing mix.
- 5
  Place the pot on a heat mat set to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep the sowing mix moist and the pot out of direct sun. Plant the Taxodium seedling into the landscape in spring.

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