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Re: pre-soaking seeds

At 18:05 05.04.97 +0300, Steve Manch wrote:
>I have been told that for many seeds, pre-soaking in warm water for
>several hours enhances germination. I tried this using small plastic
>test tube-like containers for the different types of seeds. However,
>I found that when I poured the contents onto the soil medium, many
>of the seeds stuck to the surface of the plastic & I had to add more
>water & pour several times. Also I found that it was very difficult
>to sow the seeds evenly when they are wet. Does anyone have any
>special techniques or recommendations in this situation?

After the seeds have been soaked, I pour out most of the water, or I use a
little water as possible in the first place, and then I fill the plastic cup
(I use youghurt cups etc.) with fine sand. Then I shake till the seeds and
the sand are mixed, and I sow the mix out. This makes it easier to sow
evenly. But it is a lot of extra work to soak the seeds. I usually do this
only for large seeds like Helleborus, Podophyllus, Tropaeolum, Lathyrus etc. 

Sowing in paper towels is a very time-consuming method, and I have never
seen the point in this. But perhaps if you sow very small amounts of seeds,
you are willing to spend the extra time. In stead of sowing on paper towels,
you can sow in small zip-lock bags or youghurt cups and mix the seeds with
moist sand. This way you can easily give each bag of seeds the individual
treatment they need: You can place them above an electric heater to
germinate MUCH faster (if some seeds germ. in 10 days in 60F they may germ.
in 3-5 days in 75F), you can put them in the fridge if they need a cold
period, etc. They also takes up very little space, so you can sow hundreds
of species in a small box. This is a very useful method for seeds needing a
cold period, even in summer when there is no possibility to give them a cold
treatment outdoor. And in the bags you can easily see when the seeds start
to germinate, and sow out the seed/sand mix as soon as possible.  
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Asle Serigstad

Asle's Staudegartneri - perennial nursery in south-west of Norway
Snail-Mail: Asle Serigstad, Lalandsvn. 351, N-4340 BRYNE, NORWAY  
E-Mail:     asles@online.no		    			    
Homepage:   http:/home.sol.no/asles 
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