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Re: Germinating instructions sought

> I have  recently received seeds of Baptisia cinerea and Baptisia
> perfoliatum from the North Carolina Botanical Garden.  Alas, they
> arrived with no germinating instructions.  Can anyone help?  Do they
> need to be stratified or soaked, or both?

Hi Julie,

   I don't know anything about B. perfoliatum, but according to
   "Growing and Propagating Wild Flowers" by Harry R. Phillips, Baptisia
   cinerea requires dry, sandy conditions when mature, but propagation
   requirements are the same as B. pendula:

      "Germination is typically slow and uneven with the Baptisias.
       Soak seeds overnight in hot water before sowing.  A warm soil
       temperature (70F) will hasten germination.  Sow seeds outdoors in
       a prepared seedbed in April.  Alternatively, sow indoors or in a
       cold frame in February.  You can expect some germination in two
       to three weeks and sporadic germination during the next month.

       Avoid overwatering.  The thin young stems are very susceptible
       to damping off.  Allow the surface of the soil to become dry
       between waterings.  Regular fertilization can cause seedlings
       to burn, but a weekly application of an all-purpose fertilizer
       applied at half-strength enhances seedling development.

       Seedlings raised indoors should be transferred to containers
       after the second set of true leaves appear -- three to four weeks
       after germination -- and planted in the garden in late spring.
       Started in a seedbed or cold frame, seedlings can be moved
       directly to the garden seven to eight weeks from germination
       when vigorous, well-rooted plants have developed."

   For more information about the book, visit

      http://www.mallorn.com/bookstore/lists/review.cgi?ISBN=0807841315

   where I've written up a brief review.

Chris 
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