Netty

Regular Plants Contributor
Southern Ontario zone 5a Posts: 10313
|
| Posted: Sun May 18, 2008 12:08 pm Post subject: Columbine seed germination |
|
I just received 5 different kinds of Columbine seed.
I'd like to plant them now, but I'm not sure if they need a cold period first. Anyone?
|
|
| Back to top |
|
toni

Administrator
Plants Moderator
Regular Plants Contributor
North Texas, Zone 8a Posts: 11708
|
| Posted: Sun May 18, 2008 1:58 pm Post subject: |
|
Yeah, they do need a cold period so planting in the fall is usually best. But you can copy nature in a way by planting them in moist soil then putting them in the fridge or freezer for 2-3 weeks.
They do need light to germinate too so don't bury them in the soil just press them down on the top of it. It takes another 3-4 weeks for them to germinate.
Good luck and don't forget to keep up updated on their growth progress.
_________________ To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with Spring ----
George Santayana
|
|
| Back to top |
|
Palustris

Posts: 583
|
| Posted: Sun May 18, 2008 2:19 pm Post subject: |
|
Actually one other technique which works is to gently rub the seed between two pieces of fine sand paper (the stuff used for smoothing wood). This scratches the coat and allows the uptake of water which is what the seed needs to do to germinate.
_________________ Gardening is the great leveller
|
|
| Back to top |
|
Netty

Regular Plants Contributor
Southern Ontario zone 5a Posts: 10313
|
| Posted: Sun May 18, 2008 6:56 pm Post subject: |
|
Thanks!
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|