Customer Reviews

Coast Redwood Tree 50 Seeds-World's Tallest Tree-Bonsai

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

These seeds were purchased early in August 2008. When they arrived all 50 seeds were immediately sowed. This is important because the seeds remain viable for only a few months and I had no information as to when the seeds were extracted.

Redwood seeds have a viability rate of less than 15%. That would mean of the 50 seeds only about 8 would germinate. So sowing only 5 seeds would be gambling against the odds. However, within three weeks 15 of the 50 seeds had germinated which is twice the expected rate!

These seeds were sowed in a very shallow container using potting soil (as opposed to seeding soil) with slight acidity. (I used Scotts, African Violet Potting Mix.) The slight acidity will not inhibit germination. The soil was also kept very damp because redwoods require LOTS of water. They were kept indoors with a steady temperature range between 60-70F and out of any direct sunlight.

Anyone expecting redwoods to be low-maintenance should probably look for another species of tree. They require frequent watering, high-humidity, and warm temperatures to thrive. Seedlings don't require much sunlight, however. Also, as the tree grows the root system spreads out to cover a large surface area to support its own height so wide spaces are necessary. (In other words, I wouldn't plant a redwood near the foundation of a house if I wanted that house still standing there hundreds of years later.) This wouldn't be a problem if it will be trained as bonsai.

Pros: lots of seeds included. Cheap.
Cons: very sparse packaging, needs more instructional material. The tiny slip of paper provided is insufficient for those of us who aren't experts in exotic trees. Seriously, print out a page of detailed instructions, fold it up, and slip it in the bag - I would pay an extra quarter for that information. These trees are obscure so it's hard to find information on them.

I planted five seeds as I wanted to save the rest and only wanted one tree. However, none grew. I watered it every other day but perhaps this was not enough. I would know if it came with better instructions. I plan to try again in a ziploc bag with wet paper towel like back when I was a little kid in science class.

I purchased these seeds, obviously, to try and grow a miniature giant redwood tree. Sadly, none of the fifty seeds sprouted into a tree. It has been several months since I planted them and nothing has grown. Keep in mind, that Giant Redwoods have a very small germination percentage. As another reviewer mentioned, they come with very little information on how to properly plant them. That being said, I do recommend that you at least try these seeds. Another reviewer said that he was able to grow trees from these seeds. With such a great price, I would recommend buying several packs of these seeds and at least try to grow a redwood.


I wanted to rate these seeds with three stars, however, Amazon will not let you change the number of stars you give a product.

I had about 10 of these seeds sprouting but they eventually died. Spring for a sapling, there're worth the extra buck or two.

Out of 50 seeds I got (1) to sprout. It is doing very well now. It is almost 4 inches and very green and strong.

Very very low germination percentage. I was hoping for a few more but no such luck.

While my trees have not yet germinated, I am very excited to see these grow! Even with the relatively low germination rate of redwood seeds, I have big hopes for these little guys. When they arrived, the seeds looked quite large and were not at all dried out. Many thanks!

More information on germination for this SPECIFIC tree would be highly usefull. All that is included is a page of misc vague germination tips which I had to look up online to see what exactly they were talking about. They also included a tiny strip of paper with a few tips for this tree. Like someone else stated, charge 25 cents more and give some usefull information for this specific tree on a single piece of paper. Don't make us guess.

I planted a few seeds, about 12, a couple of weeks ago in a cheap germination tray with lid and in the little round disks that expand when watered, but with no luck. I tried again the other night, this time with nicking, soaking, and in a new germination tray with lid and heated mat underneath (Hydrofarm CK64060 Hot House with Heat Mat), same disks. We will see how it goes this time.

Refering to what Lawrence stated, I did not know that the seeds are only "viable for only a few months". That would also be something good to know when you get the package... I think I am going to try and plant the remainder of the seeds and see how it goes, half in the disks and the rest in my own soil, and all in the tray with lid.