Germination

In Idaho I always had a low percentage of germination.  I believe the reason
was, as Keith describes for Yakima, the dryness of the winter climate, in
addition to a very light loessial soil that did not retain moisture long.

Here in North Carolina we have erratic winter conditions depending on the El
Nino/La Nina phase primarily.  I have no control over that cycle, but I can
supplement with a hose if moisture is needed.  My critical change, however,
has been how and in what I plant.

I now use Fafard B3 potting mix, used by professional garden centers in this
area for germinating seeds, planting the seeds on top of a pot full of the mix
pressed down to firmness, with a one inch margin at the top of the pot.  I
press the seeds into the mix clustered at the center of the pot, cover very
lightly, then cover with a 3/4 inch to 1 inch layer of sharp sand, then sink
the pots in a tight row into the soil in the seed bed almost up to their
necks, planting around the first of November.

In 2002 I had by far the highest percentage of germination I have ever had.
No exact counts have been made due to being somewhat incapacitated this year,
but I estimate between 60 and 80 percent germination.

Our very warm December of 2001 allowed a number of aggressive infants to
germinate early, most of which vanished in the January cold.  That has not
been a problem this year.  We have been substantially above normal in
precipitation (over six inches in December) and generally rather cold for the
area with mid twenties at night, up to high fifties in the day.  Right now it
is about 15 degrees colder than that with occasional snow flakes.  There has
been no early germination yet.

Again this spring I won't be able to count exact number of germinants due to
am upcoming surgery that will leave me housebound for a few months, but I will
get counts eventually and report them.

The Fafard product is lightand fluffy holding moisture well while still
allowing good leaching.  It contains both Vermiculite and Perlite in addition
to organics.  I find houseplants also love it.

Neil Mogensen   z 6b/7a near Asheville, NC

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@hort.net with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE IRIS
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index