Hi Samlav!
I do some cold stratification in the fridge, usually use the moist paper towel method in a traditional baggie (not ziplock and not thick, we don't actually want to exclude air entirely. The seeds are inside the folded paper towel so they do not touch the plastic, but that is only because this is how Dr Deno did his seeds, I never tried it any other way. Moist vermiculite also works, but for tiny seeds then you can't see them for sowing so you just spread it out in a pot but then you may get a clump of sprouts. I use plain paper towels, but some people have concerns that there may be problems with acidity or fungicides etc in the paper. This seems possible. I have thought about trying coffee filters, they would be hopefully checked for human safety? Anyway the paper towel method seems to usually work. I did once look up "germination paper" for industry use, supposedly pH balanced etc, It is shockingly expensive so I did not buy any.

What seeds do I do this with? Well as MrsBin says, it depends on the species. But mostly this is for perennial and woody plants from cold climates, where the seeds ripen and dry on the plant in the fall, drop on the ground, then overwinter in the cold moist soil. They are programmed to sprout when it warms up in the spring! Probably most of the wildflowers MrsBin in Wyoming grows do this. Annual flowers and vegetables hardly ever need this, just sow them in spring as is traditional they are usually from warm climates. Tropical plants do not like cold stratification in general, although something like a tomato is sometimes so vigorous they will tolerate it. I actually have a few plants that need TWO cycles of cold stratification, like Iris foetidissima.

This brings me to my next point: While cold moist stratification in my refrigerator vegetable bin works well, and lots of baggies with folded paper towel fit there, I also find "Winter Sowing" to work well for plants that like cold moist stratification. You can find info on this website about that, but there is not a specific forum so you have to look around a bit. That is a great thing to do this winter! I like winter sowing as I can set it up in December when there is nothing else to do in the garden, put my milk jugs outside, then in the spring I have plants without any further work. They grow slowly in the cool weather, so I have lots of time to deal with them. Some species want to be exposed to light in order to germinate, and those would not sprout in my fridge. With wintersowing I don't need to worry about which ones need this.

Welcome to your new hobby! Part of what is fun is learning the botany stuff, how plants from different climates have figured out what to do, then try to replicate the conditions so we can grow them.

wildflowers said:Yes, it's a good time to plant garlic. and winter-sow wildflower perennials.

@wildflowers by "winter-sow wildflower perennials" are you meaning outdoors? You and I are similar location, so I'm guessing you're talking about bluebonnets, mexican hat, etc.

@samlav @pistil Love this discussion. I, too, am a bit of a novice and enjoy learning from others how to make/share more of the plants I love. Grew a lot of cactus from seed over the winter last year but was planning on starting some perennials this year.

I've been storing my seed in ziplocs in the fridge - the seeds I've harvested (mostly wildflower types) I usually harvest and then dry for a few days/weeks before putting in fridge. I did watch a YouTube video on seed germination using water, hydrogen peroxide, paper towel and baggies. It had moderate success, but after they sprouted I found myself asking why I didn't just sow them in soil. I did it mostly to see if my seeds were good and to test the method but definitely wondered how these germinated seeds would tolerate the handling to pot them. I suppose the germination rate is expected to be higher in the baggie vs a seed starting soil?

In my perfect world, I'd have several new seedlings large enough to plant once we get past first frost here (mid March)...but I confess I need to think through the timing a little. Sometimes I think I'm overthinking it all, other times I feel I would make much fewer mistakes if I had an A&M horticultural degree

Pistil said:
This brings me to my next point: While cold moist stratification in my refrigerator vegetable bin works well, and lots of baggies with folded paper towel fit there, I also find "Winter Sowing" to work well for plants that like cold moist stratification. You can find info on this website about that, but there is not a specific forum so you have to look around a bit. That is a great thing to do this winter! I like winter sowing as I can set it up in December when there is nothing else to do in the garden, put my milk jugs outside, then in the spring I have plants without any further work. They grow slowly in the cool weather, so I have lots of time to deal with them. Some species want to be exposed to light in order to germinate, and those would not sprout in my fridge. With wintersowing I don't need to worry about which ones need this.

https://shorelandbuffers.wordp...

For those interested in winter-sowing as mentioned by @pistil, here's a link that has me intrigued...

Yes, @ricelg I mean to sow outdoors. I guess if you plant now it's actually fall sowing. In our zone there are some wildflowers that will emerge now and the rosette of leaves will over winter. Other seeds will require stratification = freezing and thawing which they will receive by fall sowing, into winter.

OK. I admit it. I'm obsessed.
Does anyone besides me check the recent events every day to see if there have been updates?...................................or more than once a day?

Leslie I check the recent updates a few times a day too

Gang we have a winter sow forum right here at NGA https://garden.org/forums/view...

Another source for germination info: http://www.onrockgarden.com/ge...

Audrey,
Here In Zone 7 November is the time to plant poppy seeds. It's also a time to clear out annuals, gather any late seeds, and mulch for winter. We usually don't get a hard freeze until November. Right now many of my plants are still blooming strong. Others are producing seeds are beginning to prepare for winter.

@samlav, I was just browsing the list of offerings and noticed the photo of crossandra seeds you have posted. Is that your photo of seeds on a napkin? If it is, sadly those are not crossandra seeds that is just chaffe . They are small round disc shaped seeds. These seeds throw themselves around when the plant gets wet. I guess that's why they call them firecracker plant.

I just read an interesting post on the GW about how to collect the seeds. I posted the important part about collecting seeds below.

"Today, knowing they give off a loud crack and send their seed a great distance when they get wet, I put some of the brown ripe part of the 'sprig' into a plastic box, added water and put the lid on quickly. Within about 20 seconds they started their loud cracking noise telling me they were releasing the seed. After a few minutes I removed the lid and with a fork removed the floating 'chaff'.
The chaff floats.. the seeds sink, and there they were all at the bottom of the plastic box. Now these looked exactly like those you would buy from a supplier, small oatmeal type seeds. The seeds and remaining water I put into a fine nylon sieve and left them there to dry".




I'm still collecting or trying to collect seeds that I see are most desired from my list. This is the time of year that I've had just about enough of paper plates covering the bed and furniture in my spare bedroom. When I complain about the mess, my husband says "throw them out".... Wait, what? I can't throw away good seeds that people might want. He just doesn't get it!

[quote="ishareflowers"]@samlav, I was just browsing the list of offerings and noticed the photo of crossandra seeds you have posted. Is that your photo of seeds on a napkin? If it is, sadly those are not crossandra seeds that is just chaffe . They are small round disc shaped seeds. These seeds throw themselves around when the plant gets wet. I guess that's why they call them firecracker plant.]

I noticed that too, Lisa. Samlav, I thought I might have seen the edge of one seed in that photo. I usually try to harvest mine just before they "explode" or I don't get any. That is great information Lisa! I may try that with the seeds that are ripening now if I have time.

Hi everybody,

So I've been working with the bulb beds this morning and I have some bulbils of Moroccan Creole garlic left over as well as few bulbils of Egyptian walking onions. Wondering if these wild be appropriate to offer up on this swap?

In reference to my firecracker seed/Chaffe; perhaps there are seeds ready inside that may explode if placed in water in a enclosed bowl. I had the sprigs from the plant.





Well my dear swappers, truth be said, the question is "swap or not to swap?" In any case you learned how interesting this plant can be

I was going to answer you by email samlav, but I think it might help others so I'll post here.

Your friend would be most welcome. Anybody can refer a friend and that's a great way to increase the range of seeds we have in our swap.

You should remove the photo of the Crossandra from the Orange Marmalade page and post it to the species page. That's what it's for. The database is only as good as the information we put in it and we can't assume it is a specific cultivar just because it looks like it. Accuracy is a goal that we don't always achieve but we all strive toward.

Mine are not as far along as yours, but I pried open a pod to show you a seed. The reason your pods don't look as fat is because the one in the photo you took had already "popped."

@wildflowers Added an item Farkleberry . I am going to have to try and grow this just so I have the excuse to say Farkleberry. I do not have acidic soil though. It that a requirement or just its natural habitat preference?

I don't have any feedback from farkleberry seeds I've offered in the past. If anyone has anything to report that would be great! This site says farkleberry likes various growing conditions including rocky and sandy areas. The soil here is probably sandy clay. http://www.illinoiswildflowers...

I never get tired of saying Farkleberry!

Thanks Christine, I am gonna put dibbs on it. We certainly have the rocky part of what it likes. I have already said Farkleberry several times today for no apparent reason. My husband only though it was funny the first time

@samlav, I would not post seeds for trade if I didn't have some type of confirmation that what I had were actual seeds. So, my answer is no to offering them for trade. I posted the information for you so you could submerge your chafe in some water to see if you have seeds or not.
Poisondartfrog said,
"You should remove the photo of the Crossandra from the Orange Marmalade page and post it to the species page. That's what it's for. The database is only as good as the information we put in it and we can't assume it is a specific cultivar just because it looks like it. Accuracy is a goal that we don't always achieve but we all strive toward. Smiling"

I'm in agreement with Poisondartfrog about moving your picture from the orange marmalade page and placing it in the species page. If we all just placed photos of plants that we think "look like" said plant. It wouldn't be a very good database now would it.

Just my opinion though....

Today's harvest from Limbaugh's Legacy Potato Top. I get this many every couple of days from one plant. They've started to ripen a bit unevenly, but otherwise they have not slowed down all season. Love, love, love 'em.

Nice!! I'm pretty sure I have dibbs on that one already but looks like its about to be more popular!