Cold Treatment..Cold Stratifying..

Hi Everybody!
I just wanted to drop a few hints this morning on seeds and cold treating. I have had some questions and I think the best place to address them is here.

Some seeds don't need to be cold treated at all. But I have learned that most (if not all) wont harm the seed at all. But if you have problems germinating a seed that has a hard coat and/or has a zone hardiness of at least 5. It is usually a seed that will benefit from cold treatment. For us gardeners that want instant gratification ..LOL This can be done in your freezer.

For example: Weez sent me some Meconopsis Grandis..Well if you look at the zone hardiness for Blue Poppies or other type Meconopsis. Some are hardy to zone 3. This tells you that this plant can take quit a bit of cold. Therefore you should always consider the natural process. (seeds falling to the ground in fall, being rained on, then freezing on the ground, more rain, then warmth and germination occurs) Throught the seasons. Well winter is over for me..LOL So I took the seeds placed then in a little seed baggie then put very warm water in, and let them soak. The seeds think it's a nice Summer rain. Then I place them in the fridge for a week. Now they think it's cold and rainy..turning into Fall. I'm laughing at myself here! But anyway..Then I throw the bag in the freezer for 3 weeks. Well as far as those seeds are concerned it's been a long hard icey winter. Then I place them in good seed starting soil and bring them to warmth. Germination usually occurs very quickly for me.

Now keep in mind that this is no where neccessary for every seed. But if you're having trouble germinating a seed of a plant that is hardy. This is usually the problem. For instance I have germinated rose seeds. Some roses can take wayyy below zero temperatures. Without cold treatment you will be waiting until your blue in the face. I have also noticed that perennial impatiens like to be cold treated. And even the annual ones. Along with most bushes an trees. Well I hope this helps someone today!

Happy Gardening!

Kim
I allways perchill my perennial seeds befor i start them ,and i allways germanate them in a paper towel and zip baggy ,this way you know when thay start to grow and how meny you have.

Yup I do that too..

Paersonally, I think that is a good way to introduce a disease like damping off. Damaging the tiny new root, or any newly exposed tissue is so easy. It's just an unnecessary step for me. But I do have to agree, that germination is usually a bit quicker, and it does satisfy the "kid" in us all.

Now it you were to germinate in moist paper towel just to plump the seed up, and plant before anything pops, well, that is where there is an advantage.

Well I don't see how that introduces damping off. But I'm sure it's possible..I just don't know or have had the problem. Now as far as the paper towel method. Once the seed germinates then I place it in it's own pot. I guess this is good for us who "really" wants a cretain plant. So I guess for me, I like to watch the growth, germination, and whole process. Some things I can sprinkle in the garden dirt like poppies and others and whatever comes up comes up. But this week are my prized (rare) seeds. And I need to know everything that is going on with them.

Wounding through mere pressure, cutting, accidentally breaking roots or bruising tender swelling seeds causes easy entry points for the fungus and can produce disease. With root tip points of cellular size, it's hard to imagine that our fingers could be so delicate as not to incur damage(directly or indirectly), even with a root cap.

However, if all that were so very significant, everyone who uses the paper towel method would have poor success. Obviously not the case. For me, there is no advantage, so I choose to invoke all the good vibes possible.

I guess the bottom line is whatever works for a person and their plants.

Exactly! And I didn't mean to imply anthing else.

This message was edited Mar 31, 2006 1:40 PM

Well..it's been 3 days for my germination of Ipomoea Tricolor "Blue Star" I used the paper towel and ziplock thing. I soaked 8 seeds for 24 hours in water and 2 days later they have (all 8) germinated. I then took each one and placed it in it's own pot. This method is great for these kind of seeds and many others :-D