Propagation: What have you wintersowed so far #4, 1 by

wrote:
Here is another seed data base for informantion on sowing both trees and perennial. Check out the links on the left.

http://grow.ars-informatica.ca/index.php

LissaD Penstemons are hard to sprout Tom C. has a whole page on germinating these seeds. I also have them sown. Bought the variety 'Esprit Mix' from Parks this year. Stuck the seeding flat in the frig. Also have another flat of them in my unheated garage. I have grown them from seeds a few years ago with no problem. However, those were a different variety. Strangely, not all varieties require the same technique.

happgarden Not all perennials require stratification but many do. This is the reason why I sown larger seeds in my coldframe for the flunctuating temperature, which is required by some.

This season I decide to test some old seeds I have had, using the Deno method. I have had more germination that way, than sowing straight in seeding mix.

Others that are difficult to sprout are:

Salvia argentea. I sprouted 2 so far. with cold treatment
Asclepias tuberosa. I have 6.
Aquilegia I don't bother with anymore since they tend to be shortlived and revert back from seed.
Callirhoe involucrata, another that is difficult. I'm still waiting on that.
Daturas can be difficult as they are sprout with stragglers. I have 12 inoxias growing and 6 double yellow (Yellow Ballarina) from Parks. They can take up to 30 days and need to be soaked before sowing.

Caption:
Old Hibiscus seeds sprouting in moist kitchen paper towel placed in a baggie after nicking and soaking in hand hot water over night. They sprouted in 2 days. I have had problems sowing them when I tried 3 years ago in soil flats. Only got one to sprout then.