Monterey Pine, Insignis Pine, Radiata Pine (pinus radiata)
SKU:
£1.35
£1.35 - £33.50
per item
Seed Prices
1 gram (approx 28 seeds) £1.35
2 grams (approx 59 seeds) £2.35
5 grams (approx 147 seeds) £5.25
10 grams (approx 294 seeds) £9.50
25 grams (approx 735 seeds) £17.95
50 grams (approx 1470 seeds) £33.50
This immensely rapidly growing conifer is native to a few tiny areas of the Central Coast of California and is thought to cover an area of less than 8000 ha (19,770 acres) in its native range. Due to it's tremendous potential for growth and timber increment it has become the most widely planted pine in the world with extensive areas planted in Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Kenya, and South Africa
It was first introduced into New Zealand in 1859 and today 89% of the country's plantation forests are of this species. This includes the Kaingaroa Forest on the central plateau of the North Island which is the largest planted forest in the world and produces trees to timber felling size in around 28 years.
The Monterey Pine is also widely used in gardens and public landscapes in temperate California, and similar climates around the world and is adaptable to a broad range of soil types. The only real drawback to this tree is that it does not tolerate temperatures below about −15 °C (5 °F).
Seedlings are fairly large initially and grow larger very quickly and can grow to between 30 to 56 cm (12 to 22 in) tall after one growing season. I have grown these before myself in Yorkshire and plants were mostly over 2m (7ft) at the end of their second growing season. The secret to this rapid growth is due to the fact that unlike almost all other temperate trees it does not set a resting bud for the winter. Therefore it grows whenever temperatures are high enough. Rapid shoot growth usually starts in February and continues until September. Height increases of between 1.2 to 2.4 m (4 to 8 ft) each year are common and timber increments of up to 50 m³ ha/year have been recorded on good sites in New Zealand. Monterey pine seems to begin growth at colder soil temperatures than many other conifers.
Despite this growth it is short lived and attains full size in 80 to 100 years and rarely lives beyond 150 years. In the UK it was introduced in 1833 and is commonly found in south west England and along the south coast.
Pinus radiata is the most common species of Christmas tree in New Zealand.
It was first introduced into New Zealand in 1859 and today 89% of the country's plantation forests are of this species. This includes the Kaingaroa Forest on the central plateau of the North Island which is the largest planted forest in the world and produces trees to timber felling size in around 28 years.
The Monterey Pine is also widely used in gardens and public landscapes in temperate California, and similar climates around the world and is adaptable to a broad range of soil types. The only real drawback to this tree is that it does not tolerate temperatures below about −15 °C (5 °F).
Seedlings are fairly large initially and grow larger very quickly and can grow to between 30 to 56 cm (12 to 22 in) tall after one growing season. I have grown these before myself in Yorkshire and plants were mostly over 2m (7ft) at the end of their second growing season. The secret to this rapid growth is due to the fact that unlike almost all other temperate trees it does not set a resting bud for the winter. Therefore it grows whenever temperatures are high enough. Rapid shoot growth usually starts in February and continues until September. Height increases of between 1.2 to 2.4 m (4 to 8 ft) each year are common and timber increments of up to 50 m³ ha/year have been recorded on good sites in New Zealand. Monterey pine seems to begin growth at colder soil temperatures than many other conifers.
Despite this growth it is short lived and attains full size in 80 to 100 years and rarely lives beyond 150 years. In the UK it was introduced in 1833 and is commonly found in south west England and along the south coast.
Pinus radiata is the most common species of Christmas tree in New Zealand.
Germination, Sowing and After Care Information for
Monterey Pine (pinus radiata)
The seeds of Monterey Pine are relatively easy to germinate and grow. The dormancy within the seed is short and easily broken. This is achieved by a short period of cold stratification in the fridge.
First soak the seeds in water for 24 hours. Then fully drain away all of the water and put the seeds in a zip-lock freezer bag. Place the seeds in the fridge, it is important that during this period that the seeds do not dry out or are waterlogged otherwise the pre-treatment will be ineffective.
After around 2 weeks under these conditions the seeds are ready to be sown. In general, many seeds will fail to germinate unless treated in this way, simply sowing untreated seeds in compost at room temperature will not break down the dormancy in all of the seeds and germination may be disappointing.
Fill your chosen container with a good quality general potting compost. Suitable containers could be plant pots, seed trays or plug trays or even improvised containers with drainage holes. Firm the compost gently and sow the seeds on the surface. If you are sowing in plug trays, sow 1 or 2 seeds per cell. Cover the seeds with a couple of millimetres of sieved compost or grit.
Follow with a gentle watering and keep them at room temperature. Germination will begin 10-14 days from sowing. The seedlings are very robust and usually trouble free and vigorous and can easily grow to a height of 30 cm in the first growing season depending on the sowing date and cultural techniques. Densely sown seedlings are at risk from fungal diseases such as “damping off” which can cause rapid loss of many seedlings.
Developing seedlings should be fine in full sun, keep them well watered and free of competing weeds.
Growth will accelerate rapidly in the second year with heights in excess of 180 cm easily achieved.
It is recommended that they are planted in their permanent position after the first growing season. This species should not be grown in areas that have low winter temperatures and cold drying winds.
This species will grow very large, very rapidly so plant it well away from buildings, power lines, etc.
First soak the seeds in water for 24 hours. Then fully drain away all of the water and put the seeds in a zip-lock freezer bag. Place the seeds in the fridge, it is important that during this period that the seeds do not dry out or are waterlogged otherwise the pre-treatment will be ineffective.
After around 2 weeks under these conditions the seeds are ready to be sown. In general, many seeds will fail to germinate unless treated in this way, simply sowing untreated seeds in compost at room temperature will not break down the dormancy in all of the seeds and germination may be disappointing.
Fill your chosen container with a good quality general potting compost. Suitable containers could be plant pots, seed trays or plug trays or even improvised containers with drainage holes. Firm the compost gently and sow the seeds on the surface. If you are sowing in plug trays, sow 1 or 2 seeds per cell. Cover the seeds with a couple of millimetres of sieved compost or grit.
Follow with a gentle watering and keep them at room temperature. Germination will begin 10-14 days from sowing. The seedlings are very robust and usually trouble free and vigorous and can easily grow to a height of 30 cm in the first growing season depending on the sowing date and cultural techniques. Densely sown seedlings are at risk from fungal diseases such as “damping off” which can cause rapid loss of many seedlings.
Developing seedlings should be fine in full sun, keep them well watered and free of competing weeds.
Growth will accelerate rapidly in the second year with heights in excess of 180 cm easily achieved.
It is recommended that they are planted in their permanent position after the first growing season. This species should not be grown in areas that have low winter temperatures and cold drying winds.
This species will grow very large, very rapidly so plant it well away from buildings, power lines, etc.
