Thanks, Natalie. I'm thinking the biggest difference with the drawer is humidity so the temp in the main part of the fridge might still be useful. I assume if it's your food fridge that it is at 39F or lower?

Yes, in the regular fridge, 39F or lower, and it's in the bottom drawer, and the bag is sealed. Not sure that humidity would have anything to do with it, since the bag is sealed, and inside a larger bag that is also sealed. It just works well for me, so that is how I do it. I've tried other ways, without as much luck, so I stick to what works, and I'm not changing at this point.

Thanks, Natalie. I wasn't thinking humidity had anything to do with it, just that in trying to find out how much the temperature might be different in the drawer from the body of the fridge I read that the primary difference is humidity. Since that can be ignored as irrelevant, it would make the temperature in the body of the fridge potentially relevant even if the seeds are in the drawer. For sure, stick with what works for you I was just being nosy from a scientific aspect . I'm trying to figure out the minimum temperature at which daylily seeds can germinate because they've never done it in my fridge which seems to be around 2C (35-36F). It would be interesting to know because daylily plants outdoors seem able to grow at quite cold temperatures in spring, although whether it correlates or not is another matter.

I didn't think you were being nosy! I just put the temp gauge in that drawer, so I'll check it in a bit. I also have the ability to set the humidity level on the bottom drawers, and that one is on low. Not sure if that will make a difference or not. The temp on the top shelf of the fridge was 35F, so it will be interesting to see what it is in the drawer. I've never checked that before.

I originally started growing my seeds under lights, several years ago, after putting most in the fridge for a couple of weeks. I started some without chilling at the same time, though the ones that were chilled were just put in the fridge dry. I had decent germination rates for both, but not 100%. One year, I decided to try germinating them first in the fridge, in the water and peroxide solution, and it made a huge difference. I was very limited on space at the time, so I waited until they started to spout before potting them up. That way, I wasn't wasting a pot on a seed that wasn't going to germinate. I have a lot more room now, but still do it this way, because I know for sure that a seed is going to grow first before I move onto the next step with it. Not that they will all survive to the blooming stage, but I think I have a better chance this way.

I just checked the temp, and it is 38F in the bottom drawer. I'll raise the humidity in there later, and see if it makes a difference. Can't believe I never checked this before!

I've been checking mine this morning and it has so far varied from around 0C (32F) to currently 4C (39F). That's on the bottom shelf at the back where I would normally stratify the seeds. I suspect that it spends more time at the lower end of that range but of course I let the cold out when I open the door to look at the thermometer, not to mention retrieving food

LOL, last year was my first attempt at crossing daylilies and I just found the seeds in the back of the bottom of the 'fridge. Guess I should try to do something with them...

Wes - Sow those seeds!!!!

beckygardener said:Wes - Sow those seeds!!!!

I'd have been better off messing with these seeds than potting canna earlier...A major storm just hit and I'll be lucky if those cannas aren't floating before I can get them to the garage. LOL, it's what I get for not checking the forecast...

Live and learn .... hopefully your canna are okay.