Re: HYB: seed germination

I can't find the message, but someone (Christian?) asked why I am going
to all this trouble fumbling around with seeds in stockings in the
toilet tank, fridge, & sharing such detailed notes with everybody.  I
think that was the question?

1) I've had terrible germination planting outdoors in the fall following
the 'usual' method.  Less than 10%.  Near zero.  I got much higher
germination of seeds that I fussed over last year.

2) It's taken more than 2 years from seed set to bloom of seedlings.
I'm nearly 60 yrs old.  My favorite seedling so far bloomed last spring
for the first time, 6 yrs after the cross was made.  I'd like to have
more than five generations of seedlings before I'm 90.  My goal is to
find some way to "push" seedlings to get bloom the year after
germination.

Established hybridizers tell me that, eventually, I will have my own
happy fertile lines that will germinate easily and grow fast.  I am not
anywhere near that point yet and may never be if I keep messing around
with species and historics.

LIGHTNING RIDGE crosses continue to be stubborn about germinating -
anybody have any guesses as to why her seeds should be so uncooperative?

--
Linda Mann east Tennessee USA zone 7/8
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