Author Topic: Something Big 2 (Read 2511 times)

Jeff · « **on:** April 10, 2001, 08:22:27 pm »

This is the new thread for our paulonia seeds.

My plants are not good. They are only about 3/4 inchs tall, and the stem is like a thread. A few die everyday. I guess I have about 35 to 40 left.

RavioliKid · « **Reply #1 on:** April 11, 2001, 04:32:32 am »

I just went and measured my "babies".

The tallest of mine are about 1 inch to a little over - I guess I had overestimated before. (Note to self: rulers are useful)

The leaves are very small - the largest are less than 1/4 inch wide. They haven't developed any serrations along the edges yet.

The stems of mine are very thin and thread-like, too, but some of them seem vigorous.

I have unplugged the heat pad, and I leave the clear top on when I'm not around to spritz them.

Many of them have died, but you have got to figure that there must be a high mortality rate. I mean, look at all the seeds the tree produces. We'd be up to our ying-yangs in paulownia if even 5% of them survived, world-wide.

I'm still hopeful...

Jeff · « **Reply #2 on:** April 11, 2001, 07:34:55 am »

I never thought of it that way. I bet survivability in the wild is way less then 1% probably a mere fraction of a percent.

Ron Wenrich · « **Reply #3 on:** April 11, 2001, 03:46:32 pm »

Survivability in natural settings is quite different than one using a more optimum setting. Otherwise, farmers would sow much more seed than needed.

I have never grown trees from seed. So, I can't be of much help here.

RavioliKid · « **Reply #4 on:** April 16, 2001, 07:29:14 pm »

The "seedling-ettes" are still alive - and not doing any worse than they were before. I am still waiting for that growth spurt that Hugh predicted. All growth seems to be halted.

Could I be growing the "Bonsai" version?

Jeff · « **Reply #5 on:** April 16, 2001, 08:08:23 pm »

exactly where my plants stand. I keep thinking about that growth spurt. My Tomatos are 6 inches tall now. planted the same day. Tomatoes ain't a tree though!

Jeff · « **Reply #6 on:** April 17, 2001, 10:16:21 am »

Here is the latest on my Bonsai Paulonia.

The planting bed looks soggy, but its not. I had just watered them. Ron, or Hugh, or whoever, do you think I am correct in assuming that just because the seedlings are not growing, (as Hugh said would happen at first), that in actuality they are first developing a root system, before they start their visible growth?

Bill Johnson · « **Reply #7 on:** April 17, 2001, 03:49:33 pm »

Jeff

That is probably a safe assumption to make. I would suppose that once a plant gets to certain size its existing root system cannot keep up with its growth.
It would then possibly stop putting on height and diameter in favour of developing a stronger root system.
After reading that Kim is experiencing the same slow down in visible growth with her crop it seems the most logical explanation.

But... this species of tree is way beyond what I'm used to so I could be mistaken in my assumption.

Bill

Hugh Darty · « **Reply #8 on:** April 17, 2001, 07:00:53 pm »

I don't know what the problem is, but must be lack of light and warmth. I haven't planted my new batch yet, but weather is getting right, with temperatures in the mid-eightys for several days until today, when it dropped to the fortys. Mayby the last cool spell of the spring here. I will plant mine in the next week outdoors, and hopefully will have plants in a couple weeks.
My Tomentosa and Elongoti trees are blooming, and I will have pictures in a few days.

RavioliKid · « **Reply #9 on:** April 18, 2001, 08:44:28 pm »

We did a little "thinning" of the forest today - I pulled out a few and let the kids observe the root systems. We planted the seeds 40 days ago.

I just about have a roll of film finished, so I'll send some shots to Jeff to post.

I also moved a few of the seedlings to unoccupied cells. However, I don't know if that is the smartest thing to do. After all, the seeds I planted there didn't thrive. But, we'll see what happens.

I am starting to get a few leaves that look like leaves, and the root systems were more developed than I thought they would be.

And, the science fair is tomorrow! We didn't get as much done as I had hoped we would - but, then, we never do!

RavioliKid · « **Reply #10 on:** April 21, 2001, 09:42:03 am »

I have become so attached to my Paulownia forest that I even went back to school last night at 9:30 to get it. I had forgotten to put the cover back on, and I figured that none of them would be left alive if I let it go like that until Monday without water.

So, I now have them in my bedroom, where they get nice, filtered sunlight, and I mist them several times a day. I put the cover back on at night (or when I'm not going to be there) and I have the heating pad plugged in.

The more vigorous seedlings have two sets of leaves and the top set is starting to get those serrated edges Hugh alluded to earlier.

RavioliKid · « **Reply #11 on:** April 27, 2001, 08:17:54 pm »

Jeff,

I finally found the pictures and dropped them in the mail this morning. I hope you get them soon.

I took one 3x3 set of cells out of the heated tray and put it in a high-domed glass casserole, just to see if it still needed the heat. The "tree-lettes" in the heated tray seem to be doing better, so I just might put them back.

You know, it is really interesting - to me, anyway - that the part of the tray now without soil in it has no condensation on the plastic cover. I guess this is kind of the effect that paving has on the environment, huh?

Doesn't take much to amuse me, folks!

Jeff · « **Reply #12 on:** May 03, 2001, 03:14:08 pm »

Rav! Here are two of your Paulonia Forest Pics for your commentary.

RavioliKid · « **Reply #13 on:** May 03, 2001, 06:19:23 pm »

I took these pictures during the first week of April. That was during spring break, and I had them at home. They were in a corner with one window facing south and the other facing west. The southern window was heavily shaded by an evergreen shrub. That is the heated tray I used, and I kept the cover on most of the time. I'd take it off for a few hours a day, in an attempt to discourage mold and fungus.

I should really take some more pictures. They're growing!

Jeff · « **Reply #14 on:** May 12, 2001, 01:28:43 pm »

Well, my experiment is over as of this morning. My last little Paulonia seedling died.

I will try to plant some more seeds out of doors if the soil ever warms up up here! How's yours doing Rav?

Gordon · « **Reply #15 on:** May 12, 2001, 07:24:53 pm »

Sorry to hear that the trees didn't make it. But you can always try another batch.

One thing is for sure I have no idea to tell you anything different when it comes to raising Paulonia. Time to get some expert help. Rav what did you do different than Jeff?

Any ideas what went wrong?
Gordon

Jeff · « **Reply #16 on:** May 12, 2001, 08:59:00 pm »

I think the difference is that Rav probably was a little more dilligent in her care. I frequently let my seedlings get a little to dry. (1 day without misting would kill several at a time!) Plus I don't have a very good source of natural light in my home. The Skylight was just to much. It would dry outplants between going to wokk and coming home.

I fully expect to plant some more seeds outside.

Don P · « **Reply #17 on:** May 17, 2001, 11:22:17 am »

Hi folks, just checking in from a local library. Well drillers noise ran us off when we couldn't scream to each other at opposite ends of the rafters. On the trip out paulownia in the Kanawah valley around Charleston WV was in full bloom April 22 as was dogwood and redbud...a beautiful drive. There were not a few as I stated before but hundreds. Only saw three that were worth anything as I drove by, most were badly formed. On another note Locust is blooming here today along the Rock river in western IL, they are very full totally unlike ours. Anyone know why such a difference? these are happy trees ours are all dying out...lime based soil here?
My 1.5 finger typing has burned up the hour,TTFN looks like the boards been busy!

L. Wakefield · « **Reply #18 on:** May 17, 2001, 07:20:02 pm »

Well, I can't say I spotted any paulownia as I know but... I flew to Az, and did a road trip back trhu NM, CO, KA (then it gets a little foggy)- I think Ill, In, Oh Pa etc back to Maine..I waved toward the UP as I went by, wishing I could get up there. Saw a lot of apple, cherry, locust, (eucalyptus back down in Az!). Pastures belly high on the cows and first cutting going on in a few places. Then I came home. Our apples are in heavy bloom and the peas and asparagus are up!
It was so intense to cover all that real estate! Bade farewell to the Saguaros in the desrt, went up over the Mogollan rim and right into the Ponderosa pines. I got to have me some of them! Any guesses how they'd do in Maine? LW

Bill Johnson · « **Reply #19 on:** May 18, 2001, 02:56:35 pm »

Welcome back LW its been kind of quiet around here with you gone.

I was looking in my silvics manual, I would have to say on first glance that I don't think the Ponderosa Pine would do as well for you in Maine as it would do in its natural range.
It might start off okay, and go great guns for a few years but the literature seems to say that after that it would start to go down hill.
Now I could be wrong (have been before) but if you've brought some back with you or can get some then as long as you are not expecting great things to happen I would give it a shot just to learn something new.

Bill

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Author Topic: Something Big 2 (Read 2511 times)