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Bewildering Instructions on Seed Packets?
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Posted by mike1970 5B (My Page) on Tue, Mar 18, 08 at 12:27
| Hi. I purchased 6 types of prairie flowers seeds from Seed Savers. I've got some poppies, butterfly bushes, cone flowers, and some other things.
My question is, how important is it for me be to stick with the instructions on the packets? Several of them refer to putting seeded pots into the refrigerator for various lengths of time and then applying light and warmth. Some want me to direct seed outside and some say I should start in pots. Is all this really necessary? Can I just either start the seeds under florescent light or direct seed them outside when it's warm enough? Let me know, thanks.
Mike |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Bewildering Instructions on Seed Packets?
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| I'm no expert, but I am going to assume that some of the seeds in your packets may need cold stratification. That is why the instructions say to refrigerate. If you do not stratify them they may not germinate right away-it may take some of them until next year to begin growing. Some will germinate without the cold, I know some poppies don't need cold stratification. Your flower seeds would be good candidates for winter sowing. Check out the wintersowing forum and the FAQs for more info. Lucas |
RE: Bewildering Instructions on Seed Packets?
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| The key is knowing which seeds need cold stratification to germinate. You can cold stratify any number of ways, one way includes using the refrigerator, another way would be directly sowing outdoors, or winter sowing in jugs... If you just put seeds under the lights or wait until its warm, the seeds that need cold stratification won't germinate... You could directly sow them outdoors now, and just wait until next spring for those to germinate, (providing they don't get eaten by critters between now and then). |
RE: Bewildering Instructions on Seed Packets?
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| Yes you should follow seed package instructions or they will not sprout. Native plants usually need various treatments to germinate. There are some good books out there to help you along, one I like is the New England Wildflower Book. I also google each species I want to grow such as: anemone canadensis propagation. |
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