When is the right time/season to plant picea abies from seed and why?

[alfie121]

Hi all, i have half way through and assignment and my task was to germinate picea abies of which we received in feb they have germinated well and have now been potted up. When is the right time/season to plant picea abies from seed and why?

Edited May 8, 2011 by alfie121

[Daniël Bos]

Found this from 'tinterweb

 

In order to make mechanized planting economically viable, the present spring planting period of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.)) seedlings in Fennoscandia needs to be enlarged. To evaluate the possibilities of enlarging the planting period, seven field experiments were established in the course of 3 years, during which actively growing or short-day-treated seedlings were planted regularly from the beginning of July to the middle or end of September, depending on the experiment, and also the following spring. The survival of seedlings differed between experiments, but the planting date had an effect only in the experiment where seedlings were planted on a mounded site with no short-day treatment before planting. Seedlings planted after mid-July were more susceptible to damage from night frosts. Seedlings planted in July and early-August had greater root egress and growth in height after the planting in comparison to seedlings planted after mid-August and during the following spring. For plantings in July, actively growing seedlings can be used without negative effects on their field performance. In order to avoid possible frost damage, short-day treatment is recommended before planting for seedlings used in plantings performed in August and later in the autumn.

 

ScienceDirect - Forest Ecology and Management : Summer planting of Picea abies container-grown seedlings: Effects of planting date on survival, height growth and root egress

 

It appears to suggest planting at whatever convenient time of the year, but with differing techniques according to planting time.

[alfie121]

thanks for this i can investigate this further

[RobArb]

without being negative shouldn't you have tried to find some research yourself?