Propagation: Starting Seeds in Sponges Experiment, 1 by

wrote:
I have also tried doing he sponge action but found it was difficult to seperated the roots from the sponge. The tiny roots would find its way into the sponge.

I do the wet kitchen towel thing now just for testing seeds. Below is a photo taken today of Centaurea macrocephala (perennial) seeds that have sprouted after 6 days inside a moist kitchen towel, then placed in a baggie. These seeds are from 2006 and I was testing the how viable the seeds were. As you can see, the seeds are very much alive. These 3-year old seeds had 7 out of 10 germination.

Now to plant them in regular soil so they will continue to grow. Will give them to my daughter since she has a sunroom. I don't have the space or sun in my small house.

I usually sow all hardy perennial seeds in my coldframe for better germination since many perennials require stratification.