Lobelia? Seed germination database???

I'm going thru some other seeds I received in a swap and was looking at Lobelia........seed germination database says put seed in fridge for 3 months???????????????????
Is this right????

I have grown both L. cardinalis and wild collected L. siphilitica and neither of these species require any scarification. Cultivars shouldn't need any either. I surface sow, cover with plastic and put under lights. I usually get germination starting by about 10 days at 65-70 degrees. Germ can be irregular, but most should germ occurr by about 30 days.

thanks trc65...i had kinda decided to to just what you do...but it was really confusing cause I had thought they didn't need that treatment..

thanks just had some lobelia start...sure are small!! Bought cascade saphire, should look great in pots hanging down! Do I need to prune after 2 mo. to encourage new flowers??

Geraldine87,
Well I'm glad you asked that question cause I was just wondering when to pinch back. And also, I just started half my seeds since I wasn't sure about germination is it too late in Central Flordia for me to start the "2nd" wave??????????
tia
mj

I think it's useful to be informed when a plant can be germinated by different methods, so hope to see as many in the database as possible that apply.

Also, sometimes seed that has been stored at room temperature for a while has more germination inhibitors than freshly harvested seed, and the scarification can help the seed to germinate at a higher rate, as opposed to sowing the same way you would if the seed was fresh.

So, 3 months in the frig for some lobelia species might be useful for someone to know if the seed is not fresh. Wintersowing is especially wonderful if they don't have much space indoors to start seeds, or if damp-off fungus has been a problem for them, or if they would like to germinate with minimum fuss.

Although some species of Lobelia can be germinated in more than one way, some species of lobelia germinate better one way and others germinate better a different way. If you don't have a whole lot of seed to play with, Tom Clothier's website can maximize efficiency in germinating them - http://tomclothier.hort.net/ .

mjsponies, if your lobelia seed (or any others) came from me, I'd love to know how it does when you sow it.

Geraldine - annual lobelias don't usually like our summer heat - so pruning is moot for me.

oops - mj we cybercrossed

Thanks all. Did go and check out the envelope site.
I do prefer paper. Will look for cheap envelopes in the dollar store.
Will try to get a picture of the plant from my 'many' catalogs and tape to outside of the envelope. Will be a good rainy day project!
Lobelia comming up, I put them under a grow light and they seem to like it. They are so small and cute comming up!

Hi! Just figured out my watering problems...
I should just mist top till seeds come up. I watered soil and now have trouble with some plants...too much water...not drying up fast enough..
This should work better for me!

All I did is sow & put under lights. Misted for watering until germination. Got a bit of a chia pet going, so I need to separate them & transplant ASAP

Joanna your lobelia's look great! Hope mine look half as well..