Giant Redwood Seeds (UK)
Giant Redwood Tree Seeds (Sequoiadendron giganteum)
Giant Redwood Seeds
Redwood Seeds

Giant Redwood Seeds (UK)

Sequoiadendron giganteum

From: £5.49

Limited quantities of UK seed available.

Sequoiadendron giganteum is a Californian giant, not as tall, but with a wider girth than the Coast Redwood. Occasionally called Wellingtonia in the UK. Young specimens are conical and densely branched producing a large elegant evergreen tree. The leaves are similar to the more commonly seen Leyland cypress, being shortish hard scales, however this tree carries much more significance.

Thick rusty coloured fibrous bark, fissured and ridged when mature, but very soft.

These are the same seeds we use ourselves at our specialist Redwood nursery. UK provenance so this is seed from less mature trees than the old growth trees in the USA.

Native: Western slopes of the Sierra Nevada, California.

Provenance: UK

Seeds: approx  20% viable

Ideal sowing period: Spring

Soil conditions: Grows in almost any soil in temperate climates.

Size and spread (10 years):8m

Mature height: 80m

Bonsai Suitable?: Yes. There is no such thing as “Bonsai seeds”. It’s just marketing. Seeds are seeds. There are occasionally strains of some seeds taken from small trees that grow slower and smaller, however Redwood trees do not flower and produce seed under bonsai conditions. Redwoods generally only flower and seed in the wild at about 250 years old.

All Giant Redwood seeds require a simple stratification process to germinate. Don’t worry, it’s easy.

  • Soak the Sequoiadendron giganteum seeds for 24 hours in warm water. (Not hot water).
  • Possibly add some Superthrive – these are some plant vitamins and amino acids. It’s not required, however we like to give our Sequoiadendron giganteum seedlings the best start in life.
  • Mix the seeds with some peat free compost or an inert medium like vermiculite.
  • Add the seeds to a polythene bag or small tub that will fit nicely in your fridge. Loosely seal the bag – some air exchange needs to occur.
  • Check the seeds every few days to confirm the seeds are still moist – keeping them moist during this time is vital.
  • Next, chill the seeds for 6 weeks in the fridge. Don’t forget to set a reminder for yourself to remove them.
  • Move the Sequoiadendron giganteum seeds to a warm windowsill or heated propagator. Keep the seeds moist during this time.
  • Once the seeds start to germinate you should prick them out and pot them on as soon as possible.

Germination of Sequoiadendron giganteum can be erratic. For seeds that don’t germinate in about two months, move them back to the fridge and repeat the stratification process.

An alternative way to sow the seeds is to follow nature, simply so the Sequoiadendron giganteum seeds in a tray outside in a sheltered location after the last frost and let nature take it’s course.

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