Maturation of Western Larch Cones and Seeds

摘要

Cone maturity in western larch in western Montana was most accurately predicted by the ratio of embryo length to seed cavity length. Neither moisture content nor specific gravity proved to be an index of cone maturity; however, cones predictably opened at a specific gravity of about 0.820 and a moisture content of 35 percent. In western Montana cone collection can begin in mid-August. Permitted to mature for several weeks in mold-inhibiting storage, cones will yield high percentages of viable seed.