Monkey Puzzle - Seeds

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by brooke63, Aug 13, 2011.

  1. brooke63

    brooke63 Apprentice Gardener

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2011
    Messages:
    4
    Ratings:
    +0
    Hey everyone.

    My parents have been growing a monkey puzzle tree in there garden coming up to 40 years now and its massive, even tho you can easily see its spikey people still want a touch, while walking off sucking there finger haha.

    Anyway i would like to try and grow some babies from it but im not sure where to find the seeds. There are these pods on the tree that do fall off but when ive opened them up it just looks like a dead root.

    Are the green pods the seeds and the brown ones when they die? (see pics)

    Thanks

    Mark
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Bilbo675

    Bilbo675 Total Gardener

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2011
    Messages:
    4,495
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Gardener & Plant Sales
    Location:
    South Derbyshire
    Ratings:
    +6,654
  3. Spruce

    Spruce Glad to be back .....

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2009
    Messages:
    8,893
    Gender:
    Male
    Ratings:
    +12,496
    They aint cheap !!!! things people sell on ebay , loads in my one in my mums village I will go hunting for seeds !!
    Brooke you might have a male tree you get both male and female just like yew trees .

    Spruce
     
  4. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2005
    Messages:
    52,599
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Mid Kent
    Ratings:
    +98,768
    I've heard differing reports about monkey puzzle seed.
    I have tried germinating seed from a local tree with no luck.

    As I understand it you need to have both male and female trees growing fairly close together to get viable seed.
    The seed forms in a large cone which breaks up on the tree.

    The female tree near me produces seed every year but they appear to be infertile.

    What I do know is that bought seed needs to be sown quickly as it very soon looses viability.
     
  5. brooke63

    brooke63 Apprentice Gardener

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2011
    Messages:
    4
    Ratings:
    +0

    i havent seen anything like that on the tree. where abouts do i find them? within the pods?

    I know they go for good money.....reason why im asking :D
     
  6. Bilbo675

    Bilbo675 Total Gardener

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2011
    Messages:
    4,495
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Gardener & Plant Sales
    Location:
    South Derbyshire
    Ratings:
    +6,654
    I did manage to get 10 seeds from Ebay earlier this year for about £3, I sowed them as per info I found on the internet; half in the compost and half out (pointed end in the compost) and they have all germinated over a period of a couple of months, the biggest now a 7" seedling, the smallest only just shedding the outer case :thumb:
     
  7. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2005
    Messages:
    52,599
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Mid Kent
    Ratings:
    +98,768
    Brooke, on female trees the cone breaks up on the tree, I'm looking at your pics and thinking its a male.
     
  8. brooke63

    brooke63 Apprentice Gardener

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2011
    Messages:
    4
    Ratings:
    +0
    So that means? does it have seeds? or will i have to go down the cuttings route?

    Plus the pod things are like 50ft high at the top

    Mark
     
  9. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2005
    Messages:
    52,599
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Mid Kent
    Ratings:
    +98,768
    The brown things in your pic look like dead male flowers to me, they produce pollen and then die.
    The female plant forms cones, which initially appear similar, but once fertilized by the male pollen go on to form much larger cones.

    I think monkey puzzle cutting are quite difficult to root.
     
  10. shiney

    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2006
    Messages:
    64,856
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired - Last Century!!!
    Location:
    Herts/Essex border. Zone 8b
    Ratings:
    +126,999
  11. Liz

    Liz Gardener

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2005
    Messages:
    2,911
    Ratings:
    +65
    Once the seeds have formed you can't miss them, they are about 1-2", like giant pine nuts, and they are edible. I don't think the female trees produce seed every year, maybe because of climate. My daughter lives in Birmingham and a few years ago she noticed many trees producing large cones with seeds in, but hasn't seen them since. They fall from the tree like other pine cones.
     
Loading...

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice