SEED HELP!!!

Ok I admit it, I have too many seeds! I am literally overwhelmed trying to plant more of them. Some questions.

Do the following require cold stratification: cowpen daisy, mex. milkweed, tahoka daisy, drummond phlox, Rudbeckia hirta, snap dragon vine
How do you keep the upper portion of the milk jugs from blowing up in a stong wind? I was thinking of duct taping a small part down.

I also have some that are unmarked. Guess I thought I would remember LOL. I made my best guesses and now I need to find a system to plant those small quantity of seeds.

Cheryl

One more question, how about Datura? Can I start them in the spring or maybe indoors under lights early in the spring?
C

lol I do that every year. At some point, you just have to accept the things you cannot change, like there being a finite number of hours in the day. I always figure cold and rain can't hurt anything that belongs here, and just the fact that I put the seeds in contact with dirt is way way more of a good start than their wild siblings got.


When we get strong wind here, it's pretty much always from one of two directions. So I have the milk jugs next to the house, blocking from the north, and then I turn the handle (uncut) side of the jug to the southwest. Seems to pretty much work ok. Also, if the soil is moist, the jug will be heavier. Usually if mine start blowing around, it's a sign I need to water.

I always duct tape the tops of the jugs closed. I use three strips, one on each side. One side of the jug is left intact and acts as the hinge. I pack 'em close together on the east side of my house, just out of the drip line of the roof (not fun to hear water dripping on them ALL NIGHT LONG!!) and they've never blown away.

I know that snap dragon vine grows doesn't need cold stratification:

When winter sowing, it doesn't really matter if they require cold stratification or not. The seeds will germinate when the soil temp reaches the appropriate temperature. Think about what happens to seeds that naturally self-sow and reseed. This is sorta what you're recreating when you winter sow.

You are right Stephanie, but the danger lies in the chance that the seeds may sprout early during a warm spell and then being killed by a cold spell if they are not cold hardy.
We really don't know how many tender seedlings get killed in the wild due to temperature fluctuations, so that would be something to keep in mind.
Josephine.

The reason I was asking was because I didn't want to plant those that didn't absolutely need it right now LOL. I just had too many to handle. All those that I know didn't need cold are unplanted for now. I will start them in early spring under lights in the house. Hopefully they will be do ok anyway.

Speaking of the snapdragon vine, I saw it listed for different USDA zones. Anyone know if its hardy here in zone 8A or is it 9?

C

Yes, it is hardy in the DFW area. I don't have it, but have seen it growing at Butterflies Unlimited just south of Dallas.

Good to know as I want to plant them along a fence. If they germinate that is.
C

Here in Zone 8b sown late when the weather has warmed up, the snapdragon vine tends to take longer to start growing rapidly. The seeds that have just dropped to the ground naturally do have a quicker "start up" than the seeds I plant in containers and then transplant when they are very small.

Glenna and Cheryl, this list shows the seeds that can be winter sown, so if the seed you have is not listed here it might be safe to assume that it doesn't need stratification.
http://www.wintersown.org/wseo1/ExtremeZones8910.html
This is the closest I could come at the moment.
Josephine.

Thanks for the link Josephine.
I got lucky Glenna, I bought seeds and some specifically say the don't need it.
As for the ones I got via the trade, I sort of assumed they all did. I saved some of the seed from those I couldn't find online and planted the rest for winter sowing. I think next year I will concentrate on less species but do more research on those.
C

I also need to do a lot more research and learn specifics on the seed I have. After getting off on several rabbit trails in my internet search, somehow I found a site that I think will give us what we need to know.

http://earthnotes.tripod.com/seeds.htm

It lists the plants by Latin names in alphabetical order and then gives very specific information on germination requirements and expectations.
Glenna

That is a good one Glenna, I will post it on the top post.
Josephine

I have to confess: Due to the hours we've been spending on new garden area hardscape, there aren't enough hours in the day. I had not been reading all the way to the last of the information given on each native plant at www.wildflowers.org. Now that I've taken the time to look up each plant and read all 3 or more pages of information on each one, there is detailed seed germination information given for almost every plant. I have made myself a condensed list of those I've found so far. Including it here and would appreciate anyone posting personal experience they've had that may differ.

I'll try to add more plants as I get time.

Glenna
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Standing Cypress, Ipomopsis rubra (L.), biennial, sow seeds in fall. Seed treatment: Not available.

Lyreleaf Sage, Salvia lyrata L. Store seed in sealed, refrigerated container. Seed treatment: cold-moist stratification period.

Yellow Evening Primrose, Oenothera biennis L. Sow unstratified seed in fall. Sow stratified seed in spring. Dry stratification greatly increases the germination rate.

Maximillian Sunflower, Helianthus maximiliani Schrad. “Refrigerate seeds over winter. Long cold period is a pre-germination requirement.”

Yellow Bells, Esperanza, Tecoma stans (L.). Sow soon after harvest in loose, moist-but-not-soggy, fine soil for easy germination.

Indian Blanket, Gaillardia pulchella Foug. Dried seeds can be stored refrigerated up to 4 years. With moisture, will germinate in 1 – 2 weeks. Indoors: Allow 8 weeks for well-rooted seedling before transplanting.

Bluemist Flower, Conoclinium greggii (Gray) small. Seed information not given for greggii but Conoclinium coelestinum blue mistflower says benefits from three-month cold stratification in refrigerator.

Jimson Weed, Datura wrightii. “Seed started in January should make nice 4 by April. Very cold weather could delay growth. New plants could be started mid-summer for fall 4 but plants freeze back so fall is not the best planting time.”

Basket Flower, Centaurea Americana. Seed Treatment: None given. “Direct seed from late summer through fall.”

Mealy Blue Sage, Salvia Farinacea Benth. “Cold-moist stratification period is required for germination of Salvia seed. This species does require light for germination.”

Brazos Penstemon, Penstemon Tenuis. No information given except: “Collect seed in summer.”