Re: Perennial databases, a few ideas

In a message dated 8/3/01 12:44:12 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 
ldnewton2@home.com writes:

<< (Don't you hate it when someone from the midwest uses a preposition at the
 end of a sentence?)
  >>
Nope, sometimes it takes to much time to reword conversational English into 
the King's English.

Anyway - stratification: subjecting the seed to what it requires to 
germinate.  This is probably a seed unlike a zinnia which pops out of the 
ground upon planting - so obligingly.  Stratifying is using a combination of 
cold and warm to imitate mother nature.  It usually means putting the seed 
into the fridge for a while and then into room temperature if you are doing 
it inside the house.

There are warm germinators and cold germinators.   There are also seeds that 
require several periods of both.  All hardy plants can be planted outdoors in 
pots, covered with grit (keeps the rain from washing seeds out) and left out 
doors until they germinate.  This means - really outdoors - summer and winter 
until you get some results.  A cold frame or safe spot is best so you do not 
let them dry out - patience is required.  Some take more than one year, 
making a root first and leaves the second year.  If the seed is diffficult 
you just have to keep trying.

There is a standard germination guide written by Norman Deno and purchased 
from him - he is on web searches.  He is respected by all professionals as 
his guide is information gleaned from actual testing of each genus.

Finally here is a website that is packed with information and contains what 
is necessary for germination of many unusual seeds:

 <A HREF="http://www.anet-chi.com/~manytimes/";>Click here: Tom Clothier's 
Garden Walk and Talk</A>

Tom Clothier has provided us with a wealth of information on this site.  And 
I think there is another member on this list who can give really good advice 
on germination.  Marge Talt may remember his name and site.  If I followed my 
own advice I would bookmark every site of use and file it. Sometimes, I 
forget and drat it is gone!  Some of the best horticultural sites are not on 
the search engines.

Claire Peplowski
NYS z4

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