Re: HYB: seed germination

Thanks Chuck.  If you haven't seen germination before 3 months, that
would be the same as my experience.

I divided some of the pods into several seed lots, some dried, some
planted fresh.  I left some of the fresh ones in the fridge for only 2
months (very poor germination) & some for 3 months (much better).

I just planted most of the remaining seeds, which were dried, then
soaked, & in the fridge for 3 months.  Now I wish I'd left them in a
little longer... oh well...

I left some seeds from crosses that did not germinate at all in the
first and second lots in the fridge for now.  I have room for a few
flats of seed paks in the fridge, so may try your method with some of
the remaining ones.

I was also concerned about lack of oxygen in the burritos in baggies, so
did not wrap them tightly.  I used the foldover kind of sandwich bags &
just tucked the open end around the damp towel burrito well enough to
make sure the labels stayed with the right baggies.  I checked them
every so often to make sure the paper towels didn't dry out.  Some
needed a little more water after a couple of months.

I wonder if the drip from the rotted head of lettuce hurt them any? <g>

I just checked on the first two batches of seedlings that I moved to the
cold frame right before all our really cold weather hit.  Some seedlings
died, the survivors are mostly growing well, although some look a bit
worse for wear.  And a few more seedlings are starting to come up!

Nighttime temperatures are not supposed to be below freezing for about a
week.  Balmy spring weather - getting set up for the annual March 20oF
murder of surprised west coast irises <g>

<When I have put seeds into fridge. They are planted in flats with soil.
10 pack to each flat. They are watered when they appear dry. They are
stacked so usually only the top one dries out. I have an old (avocado
coloured) fridge out in the barn so can get away with this. The seeds
will germinate right in the fridge after about 3-4 months. I have always
thought that seeds need to breathe so perhaps staying in plastic bags
suffocates them. Try puting more air in baggies or opening them every
week or so.  Chuck Chapman, Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Zone 4/5>

--
Linda Mann east Tennessee USA zone 7/8
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