Table of Contents
How long do seeds need to be cold?
Most seed that requires a winter chill will need between two weeks and three months before dormancy is broken. Keep checking the seeds until you see signs of life. Once they germinate, take them out of the fridge, pot them up and keep them frost-free until you can put them outside.
How long does it take to stratify seeds?
Most flower seeds require three to four weeks of treatment. Legume seeds generally only require ten to fifteen days. Some flowers require two to three months.
Is there a way to speed up cold stratification?
Freezing and thawing:
Freezing and thawing of the seeds seems to speed up the stratification process compared to storing them at a constant refrigerator temperature.
What vegetable seeds should be cold stratified?
For example, a perennial vegetable like asparagus will germinate better if its seed is kept cold and moist for a few weeks. Plus many herbs, flowers, and medicinals require a stratification period for best germination. Things like echinacea, yarrow, black-eyed susans, arnica, rosemary, and lavender.
How cold is cold stratification?
Cold Dry Stratification
During dry stratification, seeds are exposed to temperatures below freezing (32f/0c) for a period of 30-60 days, some even longer! This dry stratification mimics a winter's dormancy period.
What does cold stratify mean for seeds?
Cold stratification is the process of subjecting seeds to both cold and moist conditions. Seeds of many trees, shrubs and perennials require these conditions before germination will ensue.
Do sunflower seeds need cold stratification?
Planting Perennial Sunflowers
If sowing in the spring, the seeds must first be cold stratified, which means they need a period of cold to germinate. To cold stratify the seeds indoors, start about 8-10 weeks before your spring frost date.
Can you plant seeds right out of the freezer?
Seeds should be thoroughly dried before being frozen, as the freezing process can cause moist seeds to crack or split. The dry seeds should then be placed in an airtight container to prevent them from absorbing any humidity and taking on any damaging moisture.
Should seeds be in the dark to germinate?
Most seeds germinate best under dark conditions and might even be inhibited by light (e.g., Phacelia and Allium spp.). However, some species (e.g., Begonia, Primula, Coleus) need light to germinate (Miles and Brown 2007). Don't confuse seed light requirements with what seedlings need. All seedlings require sunlight.
Should I germinate vegetable seeds before planting?
Soaking seeds before planting helps you to break down the seed's natural defenses against what it expects from Mother Nature, which then allows it to germinate faster. Another reason is that while Mother Nature actively assaults seeds, she also gave those seeds an internal gauge to help them know when they should grow.
How do you cold stratify strawberries?
To ensure strawberry seeds will grow when you plant them, you must first stratify them. To do this, place the strawberry seeds in an envelope or sealed plastic bag and store them in the refrigerator for a month.
Will frozen blueberries germinate?