Help identify these conifer seeds/seedlings

[Andy Phillips]

Hi,

My kids picked up some conifer seeds last autumn - I think from Kew Gardens - and we stuck them in a pot a month or so ago. To our surprise we had close to 100% germination and we're now wondering what we're growing.

The seeds were about 1.5 cm long, pale brown with darker streaks. The seedlings have eight needles and are about 5 cm high at present.

There are images on

[e-mail]/album?.tok=phBMlHBBGLFOMNsJ&.dir=/caa5&.src=ph

Sorry about the complicated link, hope it works.

I think they're probably Pinus. Any suggestions as to the species?

Thanks,

Andy

[David J Bockman]

Definitely Pinus, impossible to say (unless someone recognizes the seed as unique, I do not) until the juvenile foliage is replaced with the second flush of growth.

Dave

[e-mail]/album?.tok=phBMlHBBGLFOMNsJ&.dir=/caa5&.src=ph

[shazzbat]

Isn't that a capital offence? Last time we were there there were signs about every 3 feet warning us not to take any cuttings, seeds etc. I think if they catch you they feed you into the shredder or something.

Steve

[David Hill]

The seed remind me of the seed of the caster oil plant. Good job you took a picture of the seed before you planted them.