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Tree growing guide
Kashmir cypress, also called Bhutan weeping cypress, is a graceful conifer with hanging blue-grey sprays that is raised from small, winged seed. Germination is not difficult, but expect a modest percentage and protect the tiny seedlings from damping-off.
Cypress seed is small and many seeds in a cone are empty, so low germination usually reflects empty seed rather than poor technique. The USDA Woody Plant Seed Manual notes that cypress seed is orthodox and keeps for years when stored dry at 1-5 °C (34-41 °F). Keep seed sealed in the refrigerator until sowing.
Not needed. The seed coat is thin and absorbs water readily.
Recommended. Mix seed with damp sand and keep it at 1-5 °C (34-41 °F) for about 30 days, as reported for other cypresses; the World Agroforestry database also advises stratifying Himalayan cypress seed in damp sand. Fresh seed sown outdoors in cool weather will chill naturally.
Optional. A soak of a few hours in water before stratifying helps the seed take up moisture evenly. Do not soak for days.
Cool days and cooler nights suit this Himalayan conifer. In tests cited by the USDA manual, Himalayan cypress gave 60% germination at 21 °C (70 °F) day / 9 °C (48 °F) night, but only 33% at a constant 25 °C (77 °F). In the Indian plains sow in the cool season; in the hills, sow in spring.
Scatter seed on the surface and cover with 4-5 mm (about 1/5 in) of fine soil or sand. Deeper sowing smothers the tiny seedlings.
A light, free-draining mix. In a Central Himalayan study, Himalayan cypress germinated best in sand (44%). Use sterile sand or a sand and seed-compost mix to limit fungal disease.
Evenly moist but never wet. Water from below or with a fine mist so that seed is not washed out.
Give bright, filtered light once seedlings appear. Light was found to help germination of Himalayan cypress, so keep the cover thin.
In the Central Himalayan trial, Himalayan cypress began germinating around day 12 and reached its maximum at about 30 days; the World Agroforestry database gives 40-60% within 14-28 days.
Prick seedlings out into individual deep pots once the first true (needle-like) leaves form and the stem begins to firm. Handle them by the seed leaves, not the stem.
Grow on in pots in light shade, then in full sun. The USDA manual notes that cypress seedlings can be planted out at 1-2 years; the World Agroforestry database gives 12-24 months for Himalayan cypress to reach plantable size.
RHS advises full sun, well-drained soil and shelter from cold, drying winds. It grows well in the mid-hills of the eastern Himalaya, where it is planted around monasteries, and in mild coastal gardens.
RHS gives a height of more than 12 m (40 ft) and a spread of 4-8 m (13-26 ft) at maturity, so do not plant it close to buildings.
Trees in British and Irish gardens took decades to reach 10 m or more. A young plant makes an attractive pot specimen for several years.
Train a single leader with a cane while young; the hanging sprays show best on a straight stem.
Raise this rare weeping Himalayan cypress from seed for a graceful blue-grey specimen tree.
No. The wild tree is known from Bhutan and possibly Arunachal Pradesh, and it is widely planted near monasteries in Sikkim, Darjeeling and Bhutan. The name came from early European gardens.
It is not strictly required, but about 30 days of cold, moist storage at 1-5 °C (34-41 °F) and cool sowing conditions usually give a better, more even result.
It prefers the cooler hills. In hot plains it struggles in summer heat; raise seedlings in the cool season and give them light shade, or grow the tree at hill stations.
RHS rates it H3, hardy to about -5 °C (23 °F). Protect young plants in colder areas.
