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Remove forming seeds on young Cryptomeria?

13 years ago

I have a few very young Cryptomeria sekkan sugi in my garden. They range from 2 ft to 4 ft. Their new growth just started but also some have seeds forming. Since I am trying to grow them for screening purposes, I'd like them to grow as fast as possible. Do you think by removing the forming seeds I can increase the amount of energy they put into growing in height? If so, what is the best way to remove the seeds? They appear to be just an continuation of the needle.

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Comments (8)

Dan _Staley (5b Sunset 2B AHS 7)
13 years ago
Do you think by removing the forming seeds I can increase the amount of energy they put into growing in height?

No.

Dan
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
13 years ago
Dan is correct - removal will not hasten growth :-)

Being conifers, Cryptomeria hold their seeds inside of cones. Cryptomeria cones are rather distinctive, like much of the cypress family, and form rounded, soccer ball-like structures that eventually ripen, turn brown and split, releasing the seeds. What you may be seeing are the male pollen cones.

This link from Wikipedia shows (on the left) a branchlet with both the rounded seed cones and immature pollen cones forming on the tips.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:362279}}
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brandon7 TN_zone7
13 years ago
Well, Gardengal beat me to it. Something seems awry with your description of the "seeds".

I'm not so sure that removal of the cones would make no difference, but my guess is that it would make much less difference than, say an apple tree or something like that. I do understand your line of thought about it though.
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ikea_gw
Original Author
13 years ago
gardengal48, the two cones on the lower part of the first shoot is similar to what I am seeing. So I guess I should just leave them be then.
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brandon7 TN_zone7
13 years ago
Spend your extra time and effort making sure the trees are mulched properly, mulched well (as in a large area), and kept properly watered. You might even do so far as to get a soil test done to ensure optimal nutrient levels in your soil.
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Embothrium
13 years ago
Might be pollen cones anyway, in which case there would be no energy spent on seed cone and seed production.
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
13 years ago
it is sometimes suggested .. that by the time you see the cones .. or pollen .. the energy is long ago spent.. so it would NOT be worth your effort ...

regardless... most conifer do not cone.. until they achieve some level of maturity ... [with exceptions, or course] ....

coning would indicate to me.. that your plants most likely have an established root mass .. and PROBABLY wont need much TLC from you.. except perhaps water in severe drought ..

in other words.. they are pretty much free range at this point.. do NOT try to love them to death ... though do maintain proper mulch.. and insert finger to verify proper water in drought.. or the heat of summer ...

no fert ... no matter how fast you want them to grow .... unless a soil test indicates something is lacking ....

ken
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
13 years ago
So I guess I should just leave them be then.

No valid reason not to. As to encouraging additional growth, follow Brandon's recommendations. Providing the best cultural conditions will result in healthy growth. But with conifers, patience is your biggest virtue :-)
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