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Re: two simple questions

>I have two questions and since I'm new to propagation and to this list
>they are probably pretty simple.
>
>For the last five months I've been working at germinating three prairie
>species (E corollata, S integrifolium, and V fasciculata).  I collected
>the seeds last fall in Wisconsin.
>  The first is the need to start seeds in a nutrient poor medium.  The
>second is the practice of covering the seeds with something opaque, like a
>folded newspaper, until they germinate.
>
>I don't disagree with these but I certainly don't see any connection
>between either of these things and the conditions on that hillside in
>Wisconsin.  Can someone please explain to me why these two things
>encourage germination?
>
>Jim MacDonald

Hi Jim,
As a fellow Wisconsinite, I'll take a stab at your questions, but will
hasten to add that these are simply my impressions and not meant to be
seed-starting gospel.  I will gladly defer to anyone with better
information.

Nutrient poor medium -  I've never heard of any REQUIREMENT for nutrient
poor medium, other than using a soil-less seed starting mix.  Is this
something that is said to be required for prairie species in particular?
In theory, seeds should be able to begin germination with just the food
source contained in the seed, but of course, that will run out time.
Perhaps someone on this list can expand on this one.

Opaque covering - Certain seeds require darkness for germination, just as
others require light. Perhaps the opaque covering is an attempt to
reproduce the covering of litter on top of the seeds after they fall to the
soil surface.

With regard to the species you are try to start.  Perhaps you could give us
their full names.  The "E" , "S" and "V" for genus names is a bit vague.

In any case, good luck with your seeds.




Don Martinson
Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
dmartin@post.its.mcw.edu

"Existing order thrives upon ignorance and lies.
Objective truth and individual reason are feared above all."

Jimmy Johnson - "Arlo & Janis"
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