6,340 Garden Web Discussions | Growing from Seed
Are your seeds fresh? Druse, Making More Plants (suggestions most often for fresh seed) says 30 days moist cold, followed by approx 70F for germination in additional 14-60 days, so variable
Clothiers (using dry stored seed) moist cold 90 days followed by sow at 70F. No reference as to how long they take to germinate there, but most databases report up to 90 - I wouldn't give up until at least 3 months have passed, hopefully you are collecting fresh seed and won't have that long to wait.
Cupressus sempervirens (Italian Cypress) Seed - sow late winter in a cold frame and only just cover the seed, or 3 weeks cold stratification can improve germination. Germinates in 1 - 2 months at 68F following chill. The seedlings are very subject to damping off so should be kept well-ventilated. Plant out in Fall. Seed, stored dry and cool, may be viable at least a few years.
Taxus - Yew in general, types may vary - Clean Seed (and wash hands after) Moist warm 90 days followed by moist cold (approx 40F) 90 days, followed by moist warm again 90 days. Final, barely cover, 70F, germination may take 365 days or longer.
Phormium tenax - best sown fresh, barely covered, @55-65F. Germination in 30-180 days.
The hybrids like the one you mention are generally vegetatively propagated - genetically identical to their parents. Not so with seed raised plants  the seedlings will all be genetically different - will produce plants with an assortment (of genes!) of foliage colors, heights
hmm maybe you're right, they were definatley not the shape of the pics you posted, they did look like a normal tree shape.
i searched for some pics of the italian cypress and nearly all are that shape you posted, but one or two are like this
so yes the trees I saw looked just like the last pic, so i'm guessing they were pretty old and it also says the italian cypress is typically used in cemeteries too, so i guess it must be that. thanks :]
RIGHT NOW I HAVE PART OF THE ANSWER...... Select early-blooming varities and plant 5-6 bulbs to a 6 inch pot. cover the bulb with 1/2 inch of well drained potting mix. give 6 weeks of near freezing temp. bring into light and grow on with 50F night temp. day temp 50 to 80F will regulate speed of growth/flowering.
Thanks for the info. That appears to be the fruit. One of the things that puzzle me is that in my searches, I only find reference to a Maylasian plum. An oval fruit that has a faint rose hue when ripe. Same genus name. Incidently, dicot is the family name of this plant, any relation?
rjinga: yes as george5il says, and separating the chaff from the seed is a heartbreaking challenge. I do not even try anymore just pick out the seeds at time of planting or plant chaff and all !!!! How the seed companies do it would be interesting to know.
I've just sown some basil from seeds collected at the end of last summer. I've decided to propagate them in my heated propagator as the weather outside is still rather chilly and there could very well be a frost. I used a general compost and just covered the seeds with a layer of sieved compost. This is my first time growing basil from seed so I hope I have some good results! If I can get enough plants I'd like to make lots and lots of pesto.