Re: High Altitude seed Germination

MARILYN DUBE' wrote:
> 
> At 08:14 PM 10/21/98 EDT, Liliaceae4@aol.com wrote:
> >I have recently moved to 5000 ft elevation after being accustomed to
> >germinating seed at 1500 ft elevation.  I have been having problems with
> >getting the seedlings large enough to survive a winter with the shorter
> >growing season and less sun (large trees on property).  Does anyone have any
> >suggestions other than building a greenhouse.  I have thousands of tiny
> >seedlings and we are expecting a killing freeze any day.
> >Thanks Lillian
> 
> Lillian,  Have you considered cold frames?  They are not too hard to build
> and will keep your seedlings from freezing.
> Marilyn Dube'
> NATURAL DESIGN PLANTS
> Hardy Perennials, Choice Tropicals
> Portland, Oregon,  Zone 8b
To protect your seedlings, you may have to mulch them with straw, hay,
dired leaves or other materials that will insulate them from the extreme
cold and fluctuating temperatures due to day time heating and chinook
conditions. The temperature variations cause most of the damage as some
seedlings have not customized themselves yet to identify wheather they
are to be in hibernation or growth.In Albeerta, in January or February,
some mature plants will start to grow when we have a chinook that lasts
for a week or more. It is common to see temperatures go from 30 below to
40 above. Mulching helps prevent this warming from awakening the plants
until it is spring.
In Alberta, we use staw, wood chips and if available, flax straw.
Good luck in wintering.
end.
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