October Update

I moved two backup plants to the 6" containers. A few more sequoias died and currently I am running short of the target twenty by two.

I am moving these sequoias into much looser soil. For #71 I added a couple dozen 1.5" river rock across the length of the tube, mixing them with soil rich with perlite.

#71 October 27, 2013 at 11 months.

#71 being moved from 3" to 6" container. River rock was sprinkled through entire container volume.

#118 was placed substantially higher than previous samples, with the beginning of the trunk almost at the top edge of container. 

#118 October 27, 2013 at 9 months.

The tree sits on a mini-hill, so that when water is added, it goes around the trunk but never touches it. All these measures are directed to let water flow through and around, rather than subject any part of sequoias to standing water. 

Both #71 and #118 had substantial amount of perlite added, probably one quarter to one fifth by volume. As already mentioned, to further increase draining, #71 had river rock added.

#202, which was described as "doing exceptionally well" during last update, has turned grey exceptionally quickly and is on the way to dying:

A few dozen new seeds are in a germination container. 

October 2013 germinations.

Previous attempt in early Fall ended badly with all 16 seedlings perishing to white mold. I used potting soil rather than new seedling soil and they all died very quickly. The newly germinated seeds are in special seedling soil and are treated very carefully. They are checked twice a day for proper moister around the seeds without being soaking wet. They are also checked for signs of mold. Periodic drops of chlorothalinol are also applied on and around the seeds. There are currently 8 new seedlings and probably 5-6 will come from the current germination batch. 

Finally, all sequoias moved to the basement for winter:

White Patch October 2013.