A: This information was assembled by Candace Bridgewater, one of the Nassau County Master Gardener volunteers. It is advisable to use gloves when handling the seeds of sagos and coonties!!

1. Collect the seeds from female cones. In winter and early spring, plants produce brown cones with bright orange seeds. Wait until the seed pod completely breaks open.

2. Spread the seeds on a thin layer of newspaper to dry out for 6-7 weeks. Let them wrinkle up a little bit like a raisin or prune.

3. Take the seeds one at a time and from top to bottom scrape the outside layer off the entire seed with a knife. Remove as much as possible. Dry them again for 2-3 days, OR Cut into the seed with a sharp knife or scalpel, creating a small wound allowing water to penetrate and have access to the embryo.

4. Lay the seeds on the surface of the soil and cover with a 1/4 inch layer of moist soil.

5. Keep the pots in a warm area with plenty of light but not direct sun.

6. Seeds should sprout within 6 weeks.

7. A couple of days before planting in the ground soak the roots overnight or for a couple of nights in tap water.

8. Plant them immediately after removing them from the water in spring after the soil warms up. Never plant them in cold weather.

9. Ideal soil mixture is equal parts of sand and sphagnum peat moss, drenched and drained.

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