Hi, For my cold moist stratified seeds I don't use any different soil than my warm seeds(exm. tomatoes). I use a soilless mix(I like fafards or sungro)...just check at your local greenhouse...I am sure they will sell you what they use if they don't carry some of the name brands. Now, I do usually add chicken grit to my outside treatment containers...making a crumbly mix for good drainage. The chicken grit you can get at a feed store. And don't worry about the mold...never had a problem with it. And I get my sharp sand at the concrete plant...more coarse with lots of rock sizes in it...many times I use this mixed into the soilless mix as well. m

This is what I have done for seeds that need to be stratified. Plant them in a container with damp seed starter mix. Put the container in a plastic bag and store it in the fridge (back of the bottom shelf) Label with the date you put it in and when to remove it. I use masking tape on the outside of the bag. Also, mark your calendar when to remove it. You can use any container. I like the strawberry containers because they have a lid. I put folded damp paper towel on the bottom and then the damp starter mix. Plant the seed and press them in lightly. Sprinkle a little more mix on top. When you take it out of the fridge, keep it in a warm place until you see it has germinated. This can take a long time. I remember one time I did this - it wasn't until the middle of July before I saw anything growing. I don't know anything about white fir tree seed. Maybe someone out there can help you with that. Best wishes for successful growing!

Hey! If they are starting to split, go ahead and pot them up. Giving them Cold strat. while they have radicles starting to come out would not be good. Only pot up the sprouted ones though.

Hi - not sure what you mean by 'fully' germinated... the seed has sprouted and will continue to grow into a tree. Not sure either why you posted a pic of soil in a pot (the maple) but the seed itself should have been put into the fridge between damp (not 'wet') paper towels, sprayed to keep damp when necessary and left for 3 months, then put into the pot half an inch down until it sprouted. You could try taking the seed out and doing that now (the pot of wet soil would be difficult to control water-wise). Your climate's fine for both trees to live outside for life once they're stronger. Put the pine out when I suggested - I'd plant it straight in the ground but not in the path of dripping water, and not in loamy soil (sandier is better), in a sunny spot, but possibly in the shade of larger trees at midday, and put the maple out in Oct. if it's grown to a few inches (presuming it sprouts in early summer). Planting them in the ground (no pots) will accelerate growth rate much better than pots... keep them in the ground for ? 3+ years or more til trunks have developed and you're ready to train them as bonsai. This post was edited by moochinka on Wed, Jan 14, 15 at 10:56