to stratify or not that is the question
micki
12 years ago
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micki
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agomicki
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRelated Discussions
Stratifying Allium Bulbs
Comments (2)I'm not sure I know what you mean by stratifying bulbs. I have heard of stratifying seeds, but not bulbs. At any rate, I would recommend planting the crocus in the ground immediately if it's not too frozen to do so. If it is, pot them up, along with the allium (allium are usually planted in the ground in the spring anyway). Keep them watered and then plant them in the ground in spring. OOOOO...I get it. You're talking about chilling bulbs, which is what stratification of seeds is. Okay. No. You don't need to prechill either kind. The big thing now is to get them into some ground and moisture so they don't die. Don't expect blooms from the crocus this year, but if they come up and make foliage, they'll be good to go next year. The alliums may or may not bloom this year. Again, you want to see foliage this year....See MoreHow to use Gibberllic Acid-3 on seeds? Too late to cold-stratify?
Comments (7)@Morz8 and Dave (digdirt): Thank you -- this is, of course, very helpful... no freezing them. I think what I will do it sow 50% of each species now, and the other 50%: place in zip lock bags with vermiculite that has been moistened; leave at room temperature for 24 hours and then refrigerate until the first week of May; then sow. For the very few species that require a period of warm-stratification followed by a 3 month period of cold-stratification, I will keep in vermiculite for 2 months at room temp, then put in refrigerator for 3 months, then sow indoors and grow them in a green house for a year. Since I have a very small amount of GA-3.. enough to treat just a few ounces -- whereas I have 3.5 pounds of seed, would it be a bad idea to add this comparatively small and therefore dilute amount to the vermiculite so that there is a trace amount of GA-3 during the process of stratification. i.e. since I have it, since it will be a minimal amount, etc.? Thanks!...See MoreSeeds questions - stratify, storage & planting
Comments (2)Snaillover, there are different kinds of milkweed (Asclepias) and they don't all have the same germination requirements. A good place to look up the different types for reliable suggestions on how best to germinate is the Clothiers Germination database, I'll link it for you. The seed sowing articles found there are good too, you may want to read through them. If stratifying a type seed is recommended, storing dry in your garage won't help, that's only storage. In order for the chill to be helpful the seeds must be moist. Can you sometimes skip that step and get (some) germination, Yes, in a very few cases...but the databases will give you suggestions for methods shown to provide the best and most complete germination. It's hard to advise not knowing which poppy too. The oriental perennial types will germinate without the moist chill, are fine sown in pots, while other perennial types may need the chill - and the annual poppies are often best direct sown. In my milder climate I'll direct sow in Fall, Winter, earliest Spring. You can sometimes very carefully transplant the annual types into the garden but for the most part they don't do as well with the roots disturbed. Here is a link that might be useful: Clothier Germination Database...See Morewhich is the best way to cold stratify J.M.Seeds?
Comments (1)The soaking/stratifying procedure you describe is best. However, I have had good results myself with tossing samaras with damp peat and leaving them in the garage over winter. But most people follow the procedure you outline. I have no idea about the dissectum seed. I collected some last year, but they did not germinate....See Moreoliveoyl3
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