Propagation: Seed soaking solution, 0 by

wrote:
Since my last posting on Feb 22, I have tested some forgotten perennial seeds from 2004. I usually sow in my coldframe, but it is full and I was not sure if these old seeds were any good.

Boy, was I surprised!!

I used the moist kitchen paper towel method, then inserted each into a ziplock baggie. Some went into my refrigerator for stratification, other on top of my refrigerator where it is warmest. I used no GA or anything else to encourage germination.

My biggest surprise was Hibiscus moscheutos. I nicked, soaked overnight, the placed the seed in moist paper towel on March 1, 09. I checked the seeds tonight and in 2 days this is what I found. See photo. I tried to sow this variety from the same package of seeds in sowing mix when I purchased them from Parks in 2004. That resulted in one germinated seed.

Those are not the only seeds I have germinated with this method. Helianthus, Swamp Weed, Datura, and others have germinated with the same method.

Proves that seeds don't have to be fresh to germinate. Also a great method for getting as many, or less, plants that you need without oversowing.

Caption: Hibiscus seeds 2 days after plancement in paper towel. Now transferred to a flat.