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Re: charcoal in seed germinating mixture

Although I can't say I've tried any really difficult ferns, what I've done
is put them on the surface of Hoffman's seed starter in a plastic box, wet
them down, closed the lid an put them under a flourescent lamp.  I've had
very good germination with fresh spore, good germination with year old spore
that's been properly stored and only two callus from some older spore I got.
Every time the plastic lid stops being hazy I spritz down the whole box and
close it up again.  It takes a LOT of time.  If I were doing it again I'd
start them after the spring planting and just not worry about them other
than water till next spring (Unless of course the ferns start hitting the
top of the box.  I didn't use any charcoal.

The problem I have is not germination, it's adapting the fern to living
outside the box.  This is the week that I'm going to try coaxing a few that
I started in January to live outside.  Wish me luck!


At 02:00 PM 8/27/97 +0300, you wrote:
>In the catalog of J.L. Hudson, seedsman, the following is recommended
>for fern spores: "..Sprinkle the spores on the surface of milled peatmoss, or
>a light mix of milled peat, sieved leafmold & sand, which has been given a
>light dusting with charcoal.."
>
>What is the purpose of the charcoal? Is it a useful addition for germinating
>other seeds as well?
>
>  Thanks,
>  Steve
>
>
>
Shelley
USDA Zone 6A 
Sunset Zone 39
Detroit
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