Re: germinating seeds, saltpetre

From what I know of salt petre I'm surprised its used to germinate anything!

DF

jim singer wrote:

> now, cut that out!
>
> just a pinch in 6 to 8 ounces of spring water. i didn't invent it; read it
> in the pepper gal's catalog, i think. but it really works.
>
> At 07:12 PM 12/17/02 -0600, you wrote:
> >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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> jsinger@igc.org
>
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