coffee filter/seeds/unzipped zip lock sandwich bag

I have winter sown over thirty of these and placed them in a dark, cold shop.
Our temps seem to be moderating right now to the mid 20s at night and the 40s to mid to high 50s during the day.

I found this method on the propagation forum I think. Now I am really scared (nothing unusual here!) that they will germinate too soon.

Also, I am going to set up styrofoam cups under lights upstairs. The room is pretty cold because there is no heat source. Last year I put a DeLonghi heater there set
at about 50 degrees or so. Most everything germinated.

I have to keep reminding myself that I can start perennials for next year the old fashioned way in June also.

Does anyone have any suggestions for me. I am doing perennials now. I should be doing hardy annuals and biennials too, right? What hardy annuals do you have good luck with?

Gloria, I'm not sure I'm understanding the method you're using, as wintersowing is typically done outside where the containers get sun and are exposed to the elements. This is what keeps those seeds from germinating too early. Sounds like the room gets cold enough and is getting natural temperature changes, but anything that does germinate will need light ASAP. I've already got some things germinating, and the containers are still freezing solid frequently. I think our climates are very similar, so I think our germination times would be close. If you have a transparent tub, a cold frame, or one of those little zip up greenhouses, I think you could put anything that germinates in there.

As far as hardy annuals, I've already winter-sown Alyssum (already sprouting!), Calendula, Celosia, Cleome, Kiss-Me-Over-the-Garden-Gate, Amaranth, Datura, and Tassel Flower. In the next few days I'll be wintersowing 4O'clocks, Balsam, Cosmos, Sunflowers, Tithonia, and a few others. Zinnias are the last ones I WS, last year in March (they're a little frost sensitive, so that keeps them from sprouting too early).

I've already WS biennials too, Digitalis, Sweet William, and Canterbury Bells.

This cold room, plastic bags, and coffee filters method was expanded in detail on the propagation forum (I think.) I had the same questions you have, but the man claimed that it worked -whatever that means. He did not say what to do when they germinated. I guess I should go back, find the postings, and ask him!

Once they germinate in the coffee filters they need to be potted up.

I would think this would be the time to start annuals indoors, so you get early blooms.

Deb

I think I found it, the Deno outdoor method? As with the regular Deno method, I think the seedlings need to potted as they germinate and given light. I've never used this method, just the regular wintersowing with potting soil, and starting seed under lights in potting mix.

I have started WS in Oct 2007 in Wyoming. That year was a trial for me. I have built a simple coldframe from scrap lumber 7 years ago that I use to start cuttings and put seedlings in to harden off. Decided to try WS with perennial varieties I know need stratification.

I sowed Aster alpinus, Oenothera miss (Evening Primrose., and Callirhoe involucrata. (Wine Cups). All germinated Spring of 2008. Aster alpinus even bloomed the first year. The other two will this year.

I became braver and in Oct 2008, I sowed lots more, including:
Dianthus
Echinacea (4 varieties)
Salva argentea Sage
Iris and Daylilies (open pollinated from my own plants for the fun of it.
Staghorn Sumac (tree/bush)
Yellowhorn (tree)
more Oenothera and Callirhoe for my daughter.

My coldframe is 3ft x 6 ft. Hinged cover with plastic mounted on an old window frame. It also has shade fabric on it. I leave the top fully exposed to the elements for seeds. Chicken wire is stretches across to keep critters out. It sits on top of the soil, which I replaced with good soil and renew every season.

Wyoming temperature goes up and down. This years lots of snow. January was cold and we had night to 20 below zero. Early February a bit warmer. Today it was 40F degrees. Now expecting some snow. Weekend suppose to be warmer.

If you don't have a coldframe, consider using those clear plastic shoeboxes from Walmart. Cut off the bottom and sink it into the soil up to 1/2" from the brim. Cover with a piece of chicken wire to keep animals out. Make sure the container don't dry out. It will be like a mini coldframe. I leave the seeds in the coldframe to the elements. I water in the spring when weather warms to make sure they don't dry out. During winter, I leave them in Mother Nature's hands.

Another method is to germinate seeds in kitchen paper towels and place in the refrigerator. I don't use coffee filters. Cut a sheeth in half and wet it, squeezing out excess. Fold in half and place more seeds than you want plants (to allow for duds) in one corner. Fold one end over, then over again. A black marker will write on wet paper towels. I code with numbers to paper. Place in a sandwich zip lock bag. Zip it , leaving 1/2" open at one end to blow air into the bag as you quickly zipper it up. The bags are air proof and will maintain air in the bag like a balloon so that the plastic isn't laying directly on top of the seeds within the paper towels. Your breath contains carbon dioxide, which is suppose to be good for plants.

Check on the seeds regularly. Those that shows signs of rooting by growing a white "tail" (which is the first main root), carefully transplant it in a pot or flat. I use a pair of tweezer to pick them up with. Make sure that the tiny root points downwards when you plant them. Place them at the recommended depth. The seeds will continue to germinate. You can continue to grow them under lights, or sunny window until safe to transplant to your garden or larger pots. I use foam coffee pots.

The beauty of this is that you don't have to sow all your seeds, nor get stuck with too many plants. It is easy to oversow just for a few plants. Also a great way to check old seeds.

I have used this method on seeds that don't need stratification with success. I only do seeds large enough to handle. Small seeds I sow the normal way in flats.

I used to sow and grow every plant in the house under lights. It is messy and a pain. I don't do it anymore.

CAPTION; This is my 7 year old coldframe before I sowed seeds in it.

Here are Centaurea macrocephala seeds sprouting in paper napkin. These seeds are 4 years old. I used 10 seeds, 7 sprouted.

Blomma, You have all the bases covered!!
Isn't it wonderful that you can have all of any plant you want just from a few seeds? I am envious of your cold frame; I think I could manage that, especially the storage bins from Wallmart. I am always looking for new ways to germinate and propagate.

And here are 2 of the seedlings potted. I don't usually put 2 in one pot but I don't have much window space. Will be easy to tear off the foam cup and seperated them when larger. They will be going to my daughters house since she has a sun room until warm enough to plant outside.

gloriag
Thanks, glad you found my information useful. I have gardened for 45 years and have learned a few things in the process. Also owned and operated a small commercial greenhouse during the 80's.

What I can't understand, reading other posts, is the money people spend on elaborate setup when plain and simple works as good and is cheaper. After all, Nature didn't have all those things. As you mention, I also use foam cups for temporary pots. They are great insulator of roots and tears off easy. I don't care for plastic. Foam cups are cheap in Walmart. I used to save used coffee cups when I worked in an office. Just took them home and washed them. Another plus is that you can easily trim them down with a sharp craft knife if too tall.

I couldn't garden without my coldframe. I also use the shoe boxes sunk in the coldframe for tiny seeds to protect them. I fill the shoe box with seeding mix and yes, I do cut off the bottom. I have Delosperma (iceplants)seeds to plant later in them. I saved a bit of space for that reason in my coldframe. The iceplant seeds are open pollinated and since I have 5 varieties of iceplants I'm hoping I will get something new and unique.

Yes it is great to get plants from seeds. They are my babies. I rarely buy plants, only if I can't get the seeds.

gloriag
By the way, you can even use the larger plastic containers for more space. Don't need to have them that tall. Too much to bury. They are easily trimmed down with a scissor or knife to the height you want. Just fill the upper 6" of dirt with good soil.


Since you live in Virginia, I'm guessing you don't have the very cold weather as I do in WY for stratification. In that case, you can use the paper napkin method and place in your refrigerator for a few weeks. Then place outside in shoebox as I prescribed above..

Caption: Here is Aster alpinus blooming in spring 2008 that I sowed in the coldframe in 2007

blomma, Actually, here in the Blue Ridge, we are 6b, and while we don't get WY temps, we are getting temperatures in the 20s and teens sometimes right now overnight. You are just full of great ideas. Thank you.

I totally agree with you about spending excess money on "equipment" to start seeds.
Last year I bought a couple of collapsible tables. Using pvc pipe, I constructed a frame to go on the table to hold a suspended 48 watt tube. Underneath I spread out plastic and used the hinges to suspend another light. I have another table I can set up like that too and have lots of space (too much space!!)

gloriag
That's a great idea you have for the table. What a bit of imagination can do!!!

Great that you temperature gets down that low. I didn't realize that. I have passed by in your state but it was in the fall so still warm. I can live with 20 F degrees easily. You can grow some of the plants I wish I could grow, but not in Zone 4. I lived In N. Arizona for 2 years while attending college. I saw Pampas grass growing....just beautiful. Wish it was hardy. I envy your climate. Most likely, I would garden myself to death.

Gloria, do you have pictures of your light table setup?

Blomma, what about Ravenna grass http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/54307/ ? It's a lot like pampas grass, it says it's zone 5, but if you had just the right spot...

No, I have a digital camera and really don't know how to use it much less post on DG. I hope to learn some day soon.

Blomma, I have heard that Pampas Plume grass is the very devil to get rid of. I have thought of it as well, but I would have to think a long, long time before I committed to it. It is something like committing to the trumpet vine or wild honeysuckle. It is hard to turn back on it.

lisabee Thanks for the information and I checked it out but I love the look of the huge white plumes. I have Micanthus sinensis along my driveway and it looks similar to the one you recommended and it is hardy in my zone 4.

gloriag No, I didn't know that Pampas grass is hard to get rid of. No worry, since it wouldn't survive in WY anyway.

What type of camera do you have? If you go to Olympus.com, (look for link) they have free digital camera classes on line. I have Olympus Camedia ultra-zoom camera and love it. I had a professional Canon film camera I used for years---and still love---a big change. I had to learn all over again. Also, if you have an instruction book for the camera read it.

Caption: Micanthus sinensis. It is 4 years old. I grew it from seed.