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Re: germination and wet paper towels

Sorry, I wasn't more clear...  the post on starting seeds in the fridge,
was intended for perennial seed starters!

Some seeds, particularly perennials, are difficult to germinate at room
temperatures. Herbs like parsley, or flowers like summer blooming perennial
phlox, require a cold condititioning period, for proper germination.
Others, like basil, which are annuals, (and most veggies) of course don't!
Seeds from trees, vines, shrubs and many perennials do require cold
conditioning. (Nicking the seed coating, of dogwood, for example, will
often help too.)  Many unusal varieties of herbs are perennial, and often
unavailable locally.  Send off for the seed and try this method, if
germination fails, or is poor by traditional methods:

Take a heavy duty white paper towel ( I like jobsquad), folded in half
three times, labeled with the variety and date, and dampened.

Open the towels up two folds, then place the seeds inside. Fold the towel
bag up, place in loose polyethylene baggy. and place in the fridge. Open up
every couple of weeks to allow some extra air to circulate around the
seeds, but otherwise leave them alone for a period of 3 months. Remove
after this time, to room temperature.  If gemination doen't begin within a
month or two, it is likely that a second cold period is necessary.  Repeat
the process. This method works well with fruit seed.

Pam

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