Re: RE: HYB: seed preparation

I'm new here, and certainly not getting germination rates to brag about but I have a few pennies.
   
  I think the seeds may be able to tolerate moisture fluctuations, especially if they are cyclical.  I have had some crosses that seem to germinate when the cup is dry.  
   
  Whoops... I'm using small film canister size sample cups w/ screw on lids.  I'm getting fairly steady germination- among crosses that are germinating- rotating between soaking and draining the seeds, roughly a week dry and 3-4 days wet.
   
  I think the temp may be the most signifigant factor, but only in a now that you mention it way.  I put my seeds into the bathroom about a week ago.  Before that I was getting roughly a dozen germinants every other day.  In the bathroom- the warmest room in the house- I've gotten a total of six in the last week, although one of those had 3/4"of root and had sprouted a leaf.
   
  Just because it germinates doesn't mean it will survive to be visible above ground.  I've germinated roughly two hundred seeds so far this season, but only about 75 of those ever produced a leaf.  The depth of the seed after germination seems to be important.  I've heard Betty say that seeds nearer the top of the soil won't germinate.  It may be that they germnate and then dry out and die.  
   
  For what it's worth a seed that did germinate but subsequently failed to sprout a leaf is indistiguishable- on visual inspection anyway- from a seed that has not germinated.
   yet.
   
  Christian
  ky

Robin Shadlow <rshadlow@wildmail.com> wrote:
  I hadn't thought about more seeds in the pot increasing the amount of inhibiting agent. That may very well explain some of the large pot problem.

I do think the cold frame may be a solution. I wonder what the limits of temp newly germinated seedlings can take in a cold frame. March is a real roller coaster here, in the first few weeks, we can still get highs below zero for days at a time. Usually with snow cover, so it doesn't harm the adult plants much to speak of.

Do I ever wish I could figure out a place for a greenhouse. Every spot I have here is too shaded by the house. Now a solarium attached to the house might work : ) Not happenening.

Thanks for all of the suggestions.

Robin Shadlow
zone 5 NE

where we managed to get some tulips in it was so nice!


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