HYB: improving germination
- Subject: HYB: improving germination
- From: Linda Mann l*@volfirst.net
- Date: Thu, 07 Nov 2002 08:59:22 -0500
Vallette has a lot of bits of things folks have tried with varying
degrees of success to improve the percent of seeds that germinate and to
get them to germinate faster. Some of these are pretty wild!
The bottom line for non-purissima & non-pink pedigrees is to dry for at
least two weeks, soak with lots of changes of water (she reports short
and long soaks, soaks with hot or cold water, this n that), chill for 30
to 90 days (various versions of this as well, including wet and dry),
then plant and NEVER EVER let them dry out (until you've given up for
the year, then it doesn't seem to much matter - they will have to go
thru the same complete cycle again the following year - dry, soak,
chill, then grow).
Most of the planting techniques she describes involve covering the
planted seeds with plastic or glass to make sure the seeds stay moist.
Pine needles are supposed to work as well. She also stresses the
importance of planting deep enough (to prevent drying) - I think she
said over an inch in sandy soil.
She says that controlling this regime results in uniform germination
compared to letting nature take its course. That was also my experience
with the few 'burrito' seeds from last year.
--
Linda Mann east Tennessee USA zone 7/8
Tennessee Whooping Crane Walkathon:
<http://www.whoopingcranesovertn.org>
American Iris Society web site <http://www.irises.org>
iris-talk/Mallorn archives: <http://www.hort.net/lists/iris-talk/>
iris-photos/Mallorn archives: <http://www.hort.net/lists/iris-photos/>
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