Question from Alan:
I would like to plant a torrey pine seed and hopefully get a tree from it, how should I go about doing this, what type of potting soil, pot, how much water, how deep do I plant the seed, how long until germination or sprout and anything else you can tell me about planting a torrey pine tree seed, thank you.

Answer from Pat:
Torrey pine seeds are usually grown in long narrow sleeves with the bottom open so their long tap root won’t be harmed by hitting the bottom of the pot, but only stopped by air, but my experience is that they will sprout fine in a gallon can filled with any well-drained potting soil since that has happened by accident at my house (or more likely planted by a jay. Leave the pot out in semi shade at normal outdoor temperatures. Seeds can sprout at any time of year but since most of these trees are planted by scrub jays and not by humans, they usually sprout in winter or early spring after the rains. Consistent watering is necessary so the seed will know it’s had a certain amount of rain, enough to permit the seedling to stick a long tap root in the ground and survive. Many wild seeds won’t sprout until a certain amount of rainfall has passed that seed and gone down into the ground thus increasing soil moisture and guaranteeing the plant’s success.

Or, alternatively, and actually a much better idea, just stick the seed or several seeds, about an inch or two down into the ground—(imagine you are a scrub jay)—right where you want the tree to grow and it should sprout easily over a period of several months if you keep the ground damp or if rains are adequate. You can throw a few pine needles or other debris on top if you want—that’s what scrub jays often do; I’ve watched them!—or a little mulch just to keep the ground from drying out. The best time to plant is right after the seeds fall on the ground and don’t forget it may take several months for it to sprout.

By planting the seed right where you want it to grow you stand a much better chance of growing a good tree with a long tap root heading straight down into the ground. A gallon can will restrict this from happening. Roots will go round and round and may break when you transplant the tree.

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