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Re: Germinating New Zealand seed

Date:  Mon, 8 Jul 1996 10:38:49 -0400
    From: Walter Kittredge <kittredg@OEB.HARVARD.EDU>

>From Wayne Kittredge:

   Many New Zealand seeds germinate well in the Norm Deno refrigerator
method.  If fresh they germinate readily, if stored it takes as much as
a
year.  I've also noticed that removing the seed bag from the
refrigerator
after a couple of weeks can occasionally spur germination, which is true
also of alpines from other geographical regions.   Most refrigerators
are
operated at 40-45 degrees F.,
but  I think it would be ideal if 50-55 degrees were used, perhaps using
a
mini fridge.
   Briefly the method is, place wet folded white paper towels in plastic
sandwich bags, sow seed on the towels, fold the bag once and place in
the
fridge, checking for germination weekly.  Using this method I've
germinated:
Lobelia roughii, Nothothlaspi rosulatum, Ranunculus crithmifolia, and
Pentachondra pumila (Epacridaceae).  Celmisias and the Aster Family in
general don't respond well to this method, at least for me.
   A basement with fluorescent lights and sand bed trays also works
pretty
well, as basements are usually cool enough even in July to offer
temperatures close to the ideal range.

  Still potting on . . .

Wayne Kittredge  North Reading, MA  zone 5


-- 
Duncan McAlpine, Federal Way, WA
Why buy plants when you can grow them yourself.....?
http://www.eskimo.com/~mcalpin/
http://www.eskimo.com/~mcalpin/pumkin.html
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