Re: germinating seeds, was Mahonia, was Horticulture mag

Saltpetre helps pepper seeds to germinate?  Do you soak them?  What is your procedure oh wise one!!

Pam

---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: jim singer <jsinger@igc.org>
Reply-To: gardenchat@hort.net
Date:  Tue, 17 Dec 2002 16:20:46 -0500

>i think that's what i would do, too, margaret. i've got a small bottle of 
>saltpetre that i bought from the local pharmacist for a buck or two that 
>works wonders on pepper seeds.
>
>the drupe of the oregon grape is kind of fleshy [enough to jam or jelly, i 
>understand], so i think i'd dry them and peel them first.
>
>
>At 08:31 AM 12/17/02 -0700, you wrote:
>>Mahonia is native in my area (SW Idaho), and in the past, birds have 
>>planted it here and there in my yard, in locations I was not thrilled 
>>about. I've tried to move small shrubs many times with zero survival 
>>rate.  Finally they planted one on a berm, good location, so I've left it 
>>and loved it.  There's a twist.  However, I think this coming summer I'll 
>>try reproducing that for other parts of my yard.  I'm fairly successful 
>>with spring cuttings from woody plants (herbaceous tips), and I'd like to 
>>see about germinating some seeds.  Capsaicin (providing the heat) in hot 
>>chiles doesn't affect birds, so they are the planters and propagators of 
>>"bird chiles" -- i.e., tiny beak-sized chiles such as chiltepins.  Seeds 
>>of those chiles are difficult to germinate by humans but not by 
>>birds.  Hmm.  The seeds have passed through a bird's gut and emerged with 
>>some ready made fertilizer.  I've found chiltepins and other small hot 
>>chiles germinate rather easily if given an overnight soak in saltpetre 
>>water (1 t saltpeter to 1 quart of water). I think I'll do the same with 
>>mahonia seeds.  Margaret L
>>
>>>Hi Kitty and all-
>>>
>>>Got the Feb issue of Horticulture in the mail today- has articles on several
>>>plants we've discussed in the past- mahonia and epimedium- nice pics too.
>>>
>>>Theresa
>>\
>>
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>jsinger@igc.org
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--
Pam Evans
Kemp TX/zone 8A
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