The idea is that if they germinate in fall, before a cold period, they would have been evergreens. I take seeds from the pod and put in open paper envelopes. I do not refrigerate them before planting. I just let them dry to little shriveled things. They germinate in early spring, usually up an inch or so by mid April.
I know of several hybridizers who use this method here in Ohio. Curt Hanson sews from 10,000 to 30,000 each year this way. Dottie Warrell, Charles Applegate both plant this way. I am not sure, but I think Richard Norris does too, or did.
