Propagation: coffee filter/seeds/unzipped zip lock sandwich bag, 0 by

wrote:
I have started WS in Oct 2007 in Wyoming. That year was a trial for me. I have built a simple coldframe from scrap lumber 7 years ago that I use to start cuttings and put seedlings in to harden off. Decided to try WS with perennial varieties I know need stratification.

I sowed Aster alpinus, Oenothera miss (Evening Primrose., and Callirhoe involucrata. (Wine Cups). All germinated Spring of 2008. Aster alpinus even bloomed the first year. The other two will this year.

I became braver and in Oct 2008, I sowed lots more, including:
Dianthus
Echinacea (4 varieties)
Salva argentea Sage
Iris and Daylilies (open pollinated from my own plants for the fun of it.
Staghorn Sumac (tree/bush)
Yellowhorn (tree)
more Oenothera and Callirhoe for my daughter.

My coldframe is 3ft x 6 ft. Hinged cover with plastic mounted on an old window frame. It also has shade fabric on it. I leave the top fully exposed to the elements for seeds. Chicken wire is stretches across to keep critters out. It sits on top of the soil, which I replaced with good soil and renew every season.

Wyoming temperature goes up and down. This years lots of snow. January was cold and we had night to 20 below zero. Early February a bit warmer. Today it was 40F degrees. Now expecting some snow. Weekend suppose to be warmer.

If you don't have a coldframe, consider using those clear plastic shoeboxes from Walmart. Cut off the bottom and sink it into the soil up to 1/2" from the brim. Cover with a piece of chicken wire to keep animals out. Make sure the container don't dry out. It will be like a mini coldframe. I leave the seeds in the coldframe to the elements. I water in the spring when weather warms to make sure they don't dry out. During winter, I leave them in Mother Nature's hands.

Another method is to germinate seeds in kitchen paper towels and place in the refrigerator. I don't use coffee filters. Cut a sheeth in half and wet it, squeezing out excess. Fold in half and place more seeds than you want plants (to allow for duds) in one corner. Fold one end over, then over again. A black marker will write on wet paper towels. I code with numbers to paper. Place in a sandwich zip lock bag. Zip it , leaving 1/2" open at one end to blow air into the bag as you quickly zipper it up. The bags are air proof and will maintain air in the bag like a balloon so that the plastic isn't laying directly on top of the seeds within the paper towels. Your breath contains carbon dioxide, which is suppose to be good for plants.

Check on the seeds regularly. Those that shows signs of rooting by growing a white "tail" (which is the first main root), carefully transplant it in a pot or flat. I use a pair of tweezer to pick them up with. Make sure that the tiny root points downwards when you plant them. Place them at the recommended depth. The seeds will continue to germinate. You can continue to grow them under lights, or sunny window until safe to transplant to your garden or larger pots. I use foam coffee pots.

The beauty of this is that you don't have to sow all your seeds, nor get stuck with too many plants. It is easy to oversow just for a few plants. Also a great way to check old seeds.

I have used this method on seeds that don't need stratification with success. I only do seeds large enough to handle. Small seeds I sow the normal way in flats.

I used to sow and grow every plant in the house under lights. It is messy and a pain. I don't do it anymore.

CAPTION; This is my 7 year old coldframe before I sowed seeds in it.