RE: HYB: Seeds Germinating

Couldn't even speculate on the amount of cold seeds can
withstand.  My husband once put a batch that were ready
to chill in the freezer instead of the crisper and I didn't find
out about it for 6 hours.  About 600 seeds in that ziplock bag,
and I think I wound up with 2 sprouts. Ones actually sprouting
would probably be more sensitive. Drier seeds, less so.

The first year I started seeds indoors, I potted up all the seeds
from pink/yellow crosses after 60 days, others after 90.  Had lots
of damping-off losses, trying to keep the soil moist enough for
the ones that hadn't sprouted.

The second year, I tried waiting until I had some sprouts, then
potted up the whole cross of seeds.  Same problem, just not
quite as bad.

Since then, I've only potted sprouts.  Until they break ground,
I keep the pot fairly moist.  Once they're up, I keep them quite
a bit drier and have no problem with damping-off.  I use a pot
big enough for the number of sprouts I have to plant.  Makes for
a lot of labelling, especially for the random sprouters.  But when
you hate winter and your soul craves gardening it's a pretty good
winter hobby.

I've had to repot a few of the most ridiculously vigorous already
this year.  Since they're already spaced, it's easy to set the root
ball into a bigger pot without disturbing them.

Looking through burritos is like a little treasure hunt while you sit
in front of the TV.  Active crosses go back in the bag last, turned
perpendicular to the rest.  I check about once a week, and every
other time I'm only looking at the actives.  Usually not ready to
quit when I run out of ones to check.

Mary Lou, near Indianapolis, Z5 - celebrating first sprout of
Clarence X Vienna Waltz and of Bonus Mama X Starring

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