Monterey Pines... Someday

The large pine cones I collected this fall to put in decorative glass jars had pine nuts. [Since I obviously don't have enough to do] I planted them. Here's my method:

1. Put the seeds in a glass of water overnight.
2. Keep the sinkers and discard the floaters.
3. Put them in a small zip lock bag with a damp paper towel and store in the refrigerator for a week. (I left them for a month.)
4. Plant in potting soil in a starter pot (or a cardboard egg carton.) It felt like grade school science fair!
5. Transplant into ground or larger pots.

Ten of the twelve came up within two weeks. They grow a very long, strong taproot which easily broke through the egg carton. I now know exposure to the air is not good for new pine roots.

Monterey Pine seedlings at 10 days.

Don't you love the way these seedlings squeeze out of their encasing brown pod and white kernel? They remind me of construction paper lanterns. Once free of the kernel, the seedlings spread like the ribs on an umbrella.

Monterey Pine seedlings transplanted to larger pots for their first year.

Eight healthy seedlings need to be transplanted to a permanent location this autumn. Any ideas?

Enjoy the day, Ann