Cedar seed advice

[Brekel]

Hi all.

A couple of months back I was on a walk, and grabbed a couple of cedar cones I happened upon.

About 2 weeks ago I stuck the seeds in the fridge, thinking they might take a while, but one lot is already germinating.

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Given that we're only just about to hit winter, what is the best way forward with these?
Plant them and put them outside in a protected area?
Plant them and keep them inside?

I'm down in Hobart, we have cool winters, a few frosts each year, but not snow (normally...)

Thanks for any advice

[SquatJar]

I'd plant them and keep them protected, but I have heard people say you can leave germinated seeds in the fridge a few months and they will lay dormant with the radical not extending any further. I have not tried this before so I'd probably only trial a few to see how it goes.

There's a recent thread on here about the struggles finding viable cedrus seed. Could you please post what type of tree you got these from? Do you know if its a true cedar and what species it might be? If not a photo of the trees growth habit and a close up of needles and seed cone should be enough for us to narrow it down.

Cheers and congrats on the quick germination

[shibui]

Cedar should be able to cope with some cold so plant them out.

You'll need special indoor setup to keep them alive indoors all winter.

[Brekel]

Thanks for the advice shibui and squatjar
There's a few diffeeent cedars in this area, and I got a few cones (some may nit have been ready), but this one that's started came from a Cedrus atlantica.

[Brekel]

What would you recommend as a good seed planting mix? I've got perlite, peat moss coco coir and propagation sand on hand.
I've heard that cedars are quite susceptible to damping off - any particular precautions to take in this regard?

Thanks,
Brett.

[KIRKY]

I would plant them. Make sure the mix is free draining, water once planted then let them almost dry out before watering again. Protect from frost n snow outside, I would not grow them inside. Just make sure not to over water.
Cheers
Kirky