Re:

In a message dated 1/26/99 11:46:12 PM Central Standard Time,
recluse1@earthlink.net writes:

<< Am very new at this..........so please be patient. What does it mean on the
 package when it says "cold stratify" the seeds for some specific amount of
 time?
 Thanks
 Diane
  >>
No problem we all started out new.... Cold stratify means that the seeds have
chemicals in them that prevent the seed from fully germinating, this is a
natural state for the seed so that they do not germinate to early (like in the
fall)...these chemicals "break down" at low temps. 
So when it says to cold stratify the seeds for 20 days ... this means that you
want to sow the seeds on some moist medium (potting soil for seeds) and then
put them in the fridge (33-38F) for 20 days.  After 20 days you can take them
out and they should germinate... Without the cold moist period in the fridge
those seeds might not germinate for months to years because of the chemical
inhibitors.

Here is what I do, I have Magnolia seeds in the fridge under cold
stratification, I collected the seeds and sowed them on some moist (but not
wet) seed starting soil in a plastic tub (these seeds are large and I have a
number of them) when March comes I will take out the tubs and sow the seeds in
to pots and wait for the seeds to germinate.

For smaller seed you can use a plastic baggy and mix in 1 part seed to 10-20
parts moist soil. Then place this in the fridge for what ever time they need
to be there. After the needed time you can sow the seeds and soil on top of a
pot full of seed medium.

This year I have switched my seed sowing program over to a different one.  I
am now using petrii dishes to pregerminate all my larger seeds.  So what I do
is line the dish with damp paper, place the seed on the papers, put the cover
on the dish, put the dish in the fridge until the time is up and then put the
dish in a place for the seeds to germinate.  After they have germinate they
are moved to a pot with soil in it.
Saves me a lot of space and I get a lot better results.

If you only have one or two different kinds of seeds that need stratification
and you have space in the fridge for them I would sow them directly in their
pots and place them (pots) in the fridge. One thing to some times keep an eye
out for-some seeds might germinate in the fridge (happens to those seed that
stay in the fridge for more than 30 days) - They are called frost germinators,
if you get seedlings in the fridge they should be pricked out and planted and
placed in a pot to be grown like normal seedlings.
Some seeds also respond to freezing, but the cold stratification will more
than do the trick for those too.  It is best not to freeze seed that has been
in moist soil for a while but this is a different topic and I do not want to
answer questions you did not ask.
I hope this was useful and not confusing.


Paul Henjum
Specialty Perennials
Zone 4
http://hardyplants.com/seeds.htm  

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