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Identify the variety of a redwood

rabidhedgehograbidhedgehog Posts: 22
in Plants
Hi everyone,
I have  two 2yo coast redwoods growing at home. I ordered the seeds from Amazon, and there was no information on what variety it actually is (and there are actually plenty). I have no idea what different varieties of the coast redwood look like, so was hoping that someone knowledgeable on the subject can shed light on this. 
Thanks a lot.
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Posts

  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    Hope it's not a sequoia..
  • rabidhedgehograbidhedgehog Posts: 22
    Nope, a coast redwood. But I was wondering which cultivar it is, as there are many.
  • steephillsteephill Posts: 2,841
    Coast Redwood is a Sequoia (sequoia sempervirens) and will grow to over 110 metres in its native California. Are you planning to bonsai it?
  • rabidhedgehograbidhedgehog Posts: 22
    No, I'm planning to buy a house and plant it (them) in my garden. I said that it's not a sequoia meaning that it's not the giant sequoia.
    I think it will probably not grow to be that big since I am in Germany, maybe 80-90m :)
    The question is whether it's a native redwood or a particular cultivar.
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    There are only around half a dozen cultivars of Sequoia currently ; I planted the form 'Adpressa' or Albo-Spica in a very large country garden in 1994 , and upon my last observation had reached around 20' high in 2018 !
    Having said that , that form is relatively slow growing anyway . That marvellous evolutionary adaptation , (fireproof-bark) had already commenced formation . This is a safeguard in habitat to avoid the so-called 'fireladder' , reducing the possibility of flames reaching the trees crown . Seconded with the natural loss of evanescent lower branches , these trees occupy a unique 'niche' in nature .
    Looking at your pictures , I thought maybe they were seedlings of Sequoiadendron giganteum at first ; difficult to ID at their young stage . Crush a couple of leaves ; if smelling of aniseed , then it is the latter .
    I wouldn't put too much confidence in the nomenclature provided by Amazon ; yet again , a further argument for the usage of correct botanical names .
    Several genera , Cunninghamia , Metasequoia , Sequoiadendron and Sequoia are often lumped under the 'Redwood' category .
    Either way , when planting yours , give them a moist and rich loamy soil , preferably pH neutral to slightly acidic ; stand back and enjoy the show .
    Hopefully your family genes have a predilection for longevity , because these trees certainly have !! :)
    Good luck with them .



  • rabidhedgehograbidhedgehog Posts: 22
    Lol, yes these trees are definitely a long term investment. Actually, I also have Sequoiadendron gigantum, but they are just one year old, and it's hard to tell anything apart from them being giant sequoias.

    Where are you located? At 20' your sequoias are giants by garden tree standards, but as far as I know they usually grow even faster. 

  • MarlorenaMarlorena Posts: 8,705
    What makes you think it could be a named variety, rather than the straight Sequoia sempervirens?...   your plant conforms to what I see as that... Yew like foliage, alternately spaced..  that is the Coast Redwood... as opposed to Dawn Redwood or Giant Redwood...

    http://www.redwoodworld.co.uk/redwood_types.htm 

    Two selections that appear similar are 'Kalte Sofie' and 'Zeno' and of those 'Zeno' might be one to consider but I would think it would need an expert to know..  it doesn't look like 'Yurok Prince' or 'Cantab'.. but I'm only speculating..

    You could try posting on a U.S. site called Houzz... they  have California, Conifer and Tree forums, any of which might know more...  the Conifer one in particular is very good...
    East Anglia, England
  • rabidhedgehograbidhedgehog Posts: 22
    Thanks for the info. Well, I'm not saying that it's a cultivar, it can very well be the native coast redwood that hasn't undergone any selection. I posted here because I don't know exactly and was curious.
  • MarlorenaMarlorena Posts: 8,705
    Oh ok.. well I hope you find out further in due course, and that these trees do well for you... I think they get hardier as they age, due to increase in sap..

    Just to add to the discussion on the subject, here are a couple of photos of related species... Wellingtonia [Sequoiadendron]… in a park garden in my area...   not what you see in California but they grow quite well here... such majestic trees have such a calming influence I think... they can make you think that all is not so bad in the world...




    East Anglia, England
  • rabidhedgehograbidhedgehog Posts: 22
    Yes, these trees are awe inspiring indeed. That's why I'm growing them  :)
    The giant sequoias also grow very fast here in Germany (and I heard the same about UK).
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