Propagation: Norm Deno's "Outdoor Treatment" - anyone try it?, 1 by

wrote:
Hi All:
This should settle any argument. I just found this site and though I would pass it along.

http://theseedsite.co.uk/index.html

By the way, I understand that wintersowing is mainly for perennials that need stratification--refrigerator or outdoors. Mot annuals are always sown in Febraury or March, depending where you live, to bloom the same season. They do not need stratification.

I have read that with tiny seeds, mix them with sand or very fine peatmoss in a baggie to stratify. Makes it easier to plant after.

I am using the kitchen paper towel method to get seeds to sprout before planting. I don't like coffee filters because they are harder to squeeze water from. I cut a towel in 1/2, then fold one end over. Place the seeds in one corner, fold the end over, then over again to get a square. I use a black permanent marker to code each little package. Stick in a ziplock baggie, close but leave a space to blow and fill it like a balloon. The air will stay if you sealed it right. This way the plastic isn't laying directly on the precious packages of seeds. I either place the baggie where it's warm, or in the frig, depending on the variety.

When you see tiny roots emerging, use a tweezer to carefully transfer the seed to a flat filled with a sowing mix and plant as usual. Make sure the root is pointed downwards. The seeds need to develop a certain amount roots before their upwards growth. At this point, place the flat in average room temperature with or without light. They only need light once they break through the soil.

I used this method for the first time this year and it is great. My main reason was to test some old seeds I have had for a few years. As seeds sprouted in the paper towel, it dawned on me that this was a great way to just get the number of plants you want, instead of oversowing and wasting seeds. We have all done that.

Now I have had sowed and germinated Scabiosa, Datura, Swamp Weed, Silver Sage, garden Geranium 'Vision' and Centaurea macrocephala. The Heliopsis are ready today to sow.

To date, I have 21 different varieties of seeds in paper towels. Tonight will do Hibiscus.

Caption: The old seeds of Centaurea macrocephala after 7 days in kitchen towel method at 70F degrees. I planted 10 and 7 germinated.

For some reason, seeds sprout quicker in paper towels, than in soil.