How to separate seed from vermiculite

This is my first foray into DG discussion forum. I hope that someone can help me understand what is the best method, after cold stratification, to separate seeds from compacted, somewhat coarse vermiculite and/or techniques to plant seed that arrives in vermiculite from seed suppliers.

I don't get why you need to separate the seed from the vermiculite.Its in a growing medium.So grow it.I want to help,but I don't understand why or what you are trying to do.Treat me like a 2 year old.I want to understand.Explain,Edge

OK. A picture may be a thousand words, too. (attached) There are 50 seeds in this package. They are from B&T World Seeds. It is recommended that they are surface sown and light is needed for germination. I have not grown seed in vermiculite before. (I've only rooted cuttings.) Normally, I can see seeds, use my Pro-Seeder and sow away... in this case I get "flakes" (the picture may be a little unclear, they are almost semi-metallic looking "flakes" but I think it may be vermiculite). I cannot see or distinguish the seeds. How would you recommend sowing them? I don't want to overseed so do I sow them in a tray vs a container? Spread very thin... But how?

Unless the seeds are very small, you should be able to find the seeds. Just dump the seeds into a plastic container and try to fish out the seeds. If they are too small to be found easily, stir up the contents to make sure seeds are evenly distributed in the vermiculite and take a small portion and spread thinly on top of your growing media. Press lightly into the media and you are set to go. If you want to germinate all the seeds spread the whole mix on a half tray, or in several large pots. Don't worry if some of the seed is covered by the vermiculite, they will still receive enough light to germinate.

When seeds need light to germinate, it doesn't mean they need the same quantity/quality that you need to grow a plant, rather it means an absence of complete darkness.

Hope this helps, btw what are the seeds you are growing, let us know and maybe others will have some other tips for germinating and growing your plants.

Thanks so much. This makes perfect sense and I will try it. Probably a couple of different large pots. I have not had a ton of success with trays.

The seeds are Anemonopsis Macrophylla (tricky, I know).

I did recently purchase some GA-3 and intend to try it on some of the seeds. This also compounds the issue above.

I got nothing to add really.Trc65 ideas are right on target.I would just spread the mix.Trying to separate the seeds.I don't think I would bother with that.I don't think its necessary and sounds to labor intensive to me.Edge

When the direction states "need light to germinate", it simply means to surface sow (do not cover with soil). Not to place under light. Tiny seeds are always surface sowed since they would never make it to the soil surface if covered.

You might want to try placing the seeds in a clear plastic container with cover. The kind that you get at Albertson when you buy a salad.

First stir the seed/vermiculatie mix, then place it in the container and spray with water to get the mix damp, not wet. Or dampen the mix first, then place in container. I have done this waith dustlike perennial seeds.

Once germinated, spread the mix over seeding mix and gently pat it down.

I am happy to report that I now have hundreds of Capanula Americana seedlings growing beautifully. I now have to thin them out and get them in pot to grow a bit more. Thanks, all!