Cloudy weather and slow growth

There has been very little sun in June. Sun does come out once in a while, it's not a total cloud cover. However, most days this past week sun was either too early in the morning or too late in the evening to hit the sequoias. There was probably total of 6 hours entire week with direct illumination. The direct result is even slower growth than previous week. Almost two more inches of rain fell, mostly during one strong storm.

Despite overall just 0.5" growth, a few samples did very well. Most notably, the lead #34 added very robust 1.5" in one week:

#34 June 21, 2015

Since the leader copes well with removal of the dead branches given environmental conditions, which is witnessed by no serious fungus or other deceases, all other samples (except #15) will be also trimmed today.

#38 continues to grow steadily but not exceptionally better than those in containers. So far predictions that it will outgrow other plants quickly did not materialize. However, at this time it added largest height (7.75") since winter. I also measured circumference of the main trunk just above the large knot above ground using tailor's measuring tape, 4.5cm (note, measured in cm, not inches):

#38 June 21, 2015

#65 "grew" 1.5", but it was mostly bending of the branches following the sun and somewhat poor measurement technique caused by its location (difficult to look parallel to the level during measurement):

#65 June 21, 2015

The table shows that it remains about 9-10" tall for the past month or so.

#15 starts to look like it's really adding both volume and height, shaking severe winter damage off:

#15 June 21, 2015. Adding volume fast after winter damage

Edit:
I got three new germinations. This time I added about a pound of sand and a handful of mulch to the mixture in 3" container (in addition to the normal "cactus mix"). A 3" container was filled to about 3" below the rim with this slightly modified mix. Top 2" were filled with the regular starter mix mixed with water. I put all three germinated seeds in one container because that's average survival rate:

All trees were trimmed off dead branches. CA1 looks like this now:

Little sun, lots of rain

Second week of June turned out to be cloudy and rainy. The sun was out only on Monday and Tuesday. A strong storm dumped monthly worth of rain in one day of about 4.5", with overall total over last 7 days close to 6".

First two weeks of June 2015

The sequoias grew modestly with just a bit over 0.5" on average.

Some continued to branch out and bend with #65 "losing" 1.5" due to that. When I measured #65 and then looked at the previous record, I was surprised by such a significant loss. So I re-measured one more time and this time with a picture taken:

#65 continues to bend towards South side, "losing" height. June 14, 2015

The leader #34 appears to be doing fine after dead branch removal, but it still struggles to add any significant growth. The top cluster above damaged mid section looks very busy with many new areas, resembling a mini-forrest two feet above ground but without a strong leader. A side branch pushed the overall heighт by a few tens of an inch but it still remains to be seen who will get to be the leader.

#31 and #63 posted stronger than average growth of almost 2" each. #63 and #38 are the fastest growing samples this season so far. 

Moderate growth and another big move

The weather last two weeks was moderately warm (mid to upper 80s) but fairly cloudy. Several strong rains and an additional watering provided plentiful moisture supply. Results were recorded once per week. Here is an updated table including last two weeks measurements:

The overall growth remains strong with about 1 inch of length (not necessarily height) per week. Some plants started exhibiting sun-following behavior, leading to both dominant growth on the sunny side for lower branches and pronounced bending of the top branches towards South (phototropism).

#38 that would most likely get above its previous number 5 spot experienced significant phototropic effect:

#38 June 7, 2015. Top branch bending towards sun. About 2.5 years old.

It is showing disturbing black spots and other damage on the bottom of the growing cluster. Top of the growing cluster remains bright green and growing quickly. One particular damage type looks like a rupture of the branch surface. I have seen similar smaller artifacts before but this is very prominent. I have no idea what caused it.

#38 showing signs of damage.

A generous amount of chlorothalonil-based fungicide was applied on the affected areas. All other plants had some of the same fungicide treatment, just in case.

#63 was fastest vertically growing sample with a strong lead branch going straight up.

#63 June 7, 2015. About 2.5 years old.

The current leader #34 added healthy height to maintain its spot. However, the mid section of the plant looks very sparse and sick. Most of the dead branches were removed today. In the past when significant number of dead branches were removed it lead to plant's death. Will see if the leader can overcome its current condition.

#34 June 7, 2015. About 2.5 years old. Removed dead branches remaining from winter.

 #31 posted negative growth of almost an inch after it was moved to a new location. Similar to #38, it showed significant top branch bending towards the sun. Overall, it's one of the strongest samples and even with this loss remains in second spot:

#31 June 7, 2015. About 2.5 years old. Moved to 22" container.

The new location provides about ten times more volume for root growth in 22" container. Location will also provide significantly more sun exposure, close to four more hours each day.

From the two samples that lost most of the volume, #15 continues to post impressive recovery numbers. It added a little over two inches in two weeks. A very strong branch is growing from about 3 inches above ground. At this point I decided to leave the dead trunk as is without any trimming:

#15 June 7, 2015. About 2.5 years old. New branch growing rapidly next to dead trunk.