I posted a few threads earlier this year about my growing Metasequoia from seed adventures.
Although for a while I didn't believe it, they did indeed end up about 18" tall as a few posters said they would. The majority of the height growth has been in the last 6 weeks.
Problem is, they're still growing! The lower third or half of the stems are more or less woody, or at least partly so. The base of the stems are around 0.5 cm on average, but the upper part of each stem, and side branches are still fully green, soft, and pliable, about 8 weeks before our first fall frost typically arrives...
I have observed Metas before, but these are the first ones that are "mine" to observe - I know they typically grow late into the season, but is it normal that the tips are still so soft and pliable on September 1? My oak seedlings, which flushed three times this summer, very quickly set terminal buds and the growth is hardened but still greenish, but they're definitely preparing for winter.
The Metasequoias...I can't really tell what they're doing! The growth has slowed down some, and it appears all but 2 of the 11 remaining trees (I gave a couple away) have set some sort of terminal bud (see pic below), but are still growing laterals that are now extending past the green terminal buds.
The pic attached is the top of the leader of the largest one (about 20" tall). There's a greenish thing that appears to be a terminal bud, but the stem is still very green and soft, and the lateral next to it appears to be overgrowing the terminal bud.
For those who have grown them from seed in particular, is this typical behavior? They don't usually turn to fall color until mid-November, so I would expect late hardening, but is this normal? Our first freeze is usually late Oct., but we don't usually get into the low or mid 20s until sometime in the latter half of November.
What should I expect over the next 2 months or so?
hairmetal4everOriginal Author
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