This is a public-interest archive. Personal data is pseudonymized and retained under GDPR Article 89.

Re: sowing in plastic bags

I missed the earlier part of the discussion about sowing methods so my
apologies if I am repeating what was said earlier.
I have been using paper kitchen towels enclosed in plastic bags for all my
seedsowing over the last two years except for seed which is too fine to be
picked up with a pair of tweezers.I use this method because it enables me to
sow large numbers of seeds in a very small space( I can get 100 species into
my small electric propagator or fridge, or the tin I keep them in
outdoors)and I can also alternate the seeds between 70f and 40f at 3 month
intervals very easily.Many seeds germinate rapidly in warmth but others need
an initial cool period .Some need to be started in warmth, moved to a cool
temperature then back to the warmth before they will germinate.There are
many permutations, but one thing I never do is put them in the freezer.Those
sown outside are put there because they need oscillating temperatures, not
to freeze.
This is the method advocated by Professor Norm Deno in his excellent book
   Seed Germination Theory and Practice
(available from the author at 39, Lenor Dr.,State College, PA 16801,
price$20,post paid worldwide.)
which details experiments on 2500 species of plant; his first supplement
gives the results of experiments on another 1117 species.The work is based
on from the principle 
 that'every species of plant has one or more mechanisms for delaying
germination until the seed is dispersed' and ways of overcoming these
inhibitors are investigated.
I can't recommend this book too highly to anyone who is interested in new
ideas on seed germination.I've found it invaluable.

Asle, you ask about Hellebore species.I sowed 24 seeds of Helleborus
orientalis( name may now have changed)last August not long after they were
collected .They were sown on damp towel and placed in the propagator at 70f
for 3 months after which they were put in the fridge at 40f. These
germinated 22 out of 24 between Christmas and 3rd January.Seed from another
source which was stored for 3 months before sowing was all subsequently
found to be dead.Prof.Deno's data shows exactly the same pattern.
Eremurus bungei germinated 60% after 2 months at 40f, irrespective of
whether it had had a previous 3 months at 70f.
I hope this helps.
Jane
(Ireland Z8b/9a)
Follow-Ups:
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index