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Re: seeds-digest Digest V98 #29

Hello.

Whew, I thought it was just me that I can't Trichostemas to grow. I
germinated one once by sowing some on soil in a styrofoam cup with a
clear plastic cup inverted and snugged over it (which I prefer to that
nasty, messy baggie of soil method) and when they came out of the
freezer six weeks later one actually sprouted. Not sure yet, but I have
a sneaky feeling this year will prove that after four years of shelf
life any germination inhibitors have not yet broken down. I've yet to
see one sprout from simply chilling the seeds in the refrigerator before
taking themo ut and sowing them, which works well for many Labiates
which "require stratification".

Interesting grandparent method on pumpkins, I wonder what all this will
work on. Pumpkins may not need it though. Half an inch deep into soil is
almost foolproof, at least indoors. Another interesting grandparent
method consists of planting pumpkin seed with the point facing magnetic
north. (don't call me crazy, this came from the Rodales. I haven't tried
it yet, though. The Navaho also have interesting ideas, see "Watermelon
Medicines")

I'm getting to ignore All the instructions on most Morning glories,
again. This year they're surface sown in trays with the plastic domes,
daily misting, 3 days at @72*-75*, no nicking or soaking. Previous
expiriments showed you can let them soak until they sprout in the water
also, as long as nothing starts growing in the water, in which case I
rinsed it all clean and added fresh water, same as with cuttings in
water.

A source of bottom heat I use is that I have cinderblock shelves for my
plant trays, several cans of food no one eats go on the corners of the
blocks. a flourescent fixture is laid across the blocks, between the
cans, and the next shelfboard is laid over it. The side of the
flourescent with the ballast heats and warms the shelf above it. I don't
think I've had much trouble that the warmth isn't going 24 hours a day.
This arrangement also minimizes how much of the house is taken over by
planting, and I use various containers and things underneath the trays
to keep the trays fairly close to the lights.
(There are various ways to get two 24" trays into the 44" of space.
including using 52" shelfboards instead of 48" idealy) 

The top of the fridge is a good place to warm trays or keep your soaking
water a little above room temperature.

Good gardening to everyone!

Robert Carl // Mint Family Collector
ChroniPepperoni@webtv.net
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