Re: CULT: Germination Follow-up

--- wmoores <wmoores@watervalley.net> wrote:

>>>  My seeds spend about three months in the freezer before
being planted after it turns cold in November. I do not soak
them
before  planting and rarely have to water them since Mother
Nature is so generous here. <<<

I plant 99% of my seed (iris and others) indoors...BUT I do
also, like Walter, freeze my seeds before planting in covered
INDOOR flats where I water them when planting. I do NOT soak
them before planting. I take the sprouted seedlings out and
plant in the garden in late spring = about May 15th (give or
take a week or depending on the weather or 'what' seems good to
me. :-) They are all in the ground by May 30th and they die or
live according to their hardiness or whatever the heck kills
them. 

The reason for the freezer technique is trying to mimic mother
nature but alas, I (we) fall short. 

>>> I don't think my seed pots, which are sunk in the flower
beds, have ever frozen solid.  I do think sustained cold weather
makes for the best germination. <<<

Walter, I hear you and have been 'inspired' to try to plant in
the ground (in pots). I hate those darn flats anyway.

>>> I noticed Denver was near seventy degrees the other day, so
you have alternate freezing and thawing which may be a limiting
factor in your germination. <<<

70 F degrees is not in the ballpark here! Also, it depends on
the weather service one hooks up to..I was amazed at the
differential in the three major services...they were all
off-base as to our low yesterday as recording by my digital
memory thermometer.
 
>>> I wish bearded germination was like JI germination, which
always appears to be 99%. <<<

Walter, I wish up here...I tried some of Currier's special seed
(pink JIs) and NONE of them germinated for me. I understand that
others in the project had better luck.

Ellen




=====
Ellen Gallagher     <ellengalla@yahoo.com>
Berlin, NH/Northern White Mountains/Zone 3
________________________________________

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