How to Germinate Bald Cypress With Artificial Light

Place the bald cypress seeds in a plastic zipper bag filled with moist, but not soggy, sphagnum peat moss. Store the seeds in the refrigerator for 90 days to mimic the stratification, or cooling, period they would receive outdoors. Spritz the moss with water from a spray bottle every seven to 10 days to keep it moist.

Combine four parts peat moss, three parts coarse horticultural sand, two parts perlite and one part leaf mold to create a well-draining germination medium for the bald cypress seeds. Fill an 8- to 10-inch planting container with the germination medium to within 1 inch of the rim.

Apply supplemental irrigation to the germination medium until you see water streaming from the drainage holes in the bottom of the planting container. Wait for the excess water to drain from the container before planting the seeds.

Push the stratified bald cypress seeds into the moist germination medium to the depth of 1 inch, but don't cover them completely. Allow 2 to 3 inches of space between each seed. Note that not all of the seeds planted successfully germinate.

Place the planting container on a heated germination mat. Set the mat to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Suspend a full spectrum, 40-watt grow light 10 to 12 inches above the rim of the planting container. Provide the seeds with 12 to 14 hours of artificial light per day to encourage germination. Water as often as necessary to keep the germination medium moist, but never soggy.