Should all seeds be stratified? (grow, spring, cold, planting)
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No. Some require it, others don't, and it frustrates me that commercial seed packets often don't mention that. It took me years of failed attempts to grow Bells of Ireland before I found them coming up all over where I had chucked a packet of seeds because I didn't want to try again. Then I was overrun with them for years!
What kind of seeds are you collecting? I absolutely LOVE harvesting seeds! I put 1/4 C. oif blackberry lily seeds in the fridge this morning.
I'm gathering a Hollyhock (Kabillions of seeds!) various daisies, various morning glories and a cardinal climber, bazillions of various Marigolds, basil, and a few unknowns that are pretty.
Maybe I'll fridge half and see which ones come up.
Hollyhocks and morning glories should probably be chilled, as they volunteer freely. Any plant that comes up on its own in the spring is fal;ls into the "stratify" category. Coneflowers are a great example. So are snapdragons, portulacas and rudbeckias.
Don't stratify the perennial daisies (I've never had luck with them from seed, but they spread so much it doesn't matter.) Don't know about cardinal climber. And don't stratify the marigolds or basil. Over time, you'll have the whole database in your head!
What is stratified? I am an old lifetime gardener and never heard the term.
Dolly, stratifying seeds is usually chilling them for a period before they'll germinate. Some seeds need to be left at a certain low temp for a certain length of time before they will germinate.
Scarifying a seed is nicking the seed coat before sowing it.
NO JUST THE VERY HARD SEEDS . SEE A ONLINE LIST . Easy only seeds I ever stratified was sweet pea. The directions on the package explained they would germinate faster.
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