[FREE] Japanese Black Pine cone

[Nate.bonsai]

I bought a JBP today and it had a pine cone on it.

Was told that JBP seeds are hard to come by, as Japan is no longer allowed to export them.

Was told to put it in a brown paper bag by the window in the sun until it opens and the seeds fall out. Apparently they strike pretty easily and quickly.

I am lazy and buy my pines pre-grown, but if anyone wants to start down a long path, I am happy to post to you - NSW only (so as not to offend any quarantine/biosecurity laws).

PM me if you are interested.

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[shibui]

Sorry to spoil your line of thought Nate but.... pine cones usually open in late summer and drop the seeds. When it gets damp they actually close up again and look perfect.

I have picked cones late like this. Sometimes when they dry out and open up some seeds are released but in my experience those seeds are the non viable ones. It appears that the good seeds are always the first to drop when a cone opens up.
If someone wants to try they are welcome. If not, put it in a warm place to dry out and open. See what seeds come out. Not all pine seeds are viable so break a couple open to see if they are hollow. If you do get seeds and they appear to be viable I'll happily take them off your hands.

[Nate.bonsai]

Thanks for the insight. No loss for me, as I wanted the tree, not the 20-30 years to grow from seed. But, if anyone wants to give it a go, let me know.


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[Nate.bonsai]

So, here are the seeds that I extracted from the pine cone.

Does anyone know how to tell if they are viable?

If they are, does anyone in NSW want them? PM me with your address and I am happy to throw them in the post.

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[shibui]

Nice haul. there's more there than I thought you'd get.
Try squeezing some between finger and thumb. The empty ones usually collapse quite easily. I can usually slit one open with fingernails (if not try scissors or nail clipper). The viable ones will be full of white. Non viable are empty.
Notice there are some white ones and some black ones. From memory the black ones are good, white ones are empty but check a couple to see if I've got it the right way round.

Either way it looks like round half should be good so someone should jump on these quick.

[dansai]

pm sent

[Nate.bonsai]

In the post to you today Dansai. All the best.


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[dansai]

Cheers. I'll let you know how they go