My first question is on how to hold seeds over summer when heat has stopped germination.
My seeds are all sown in trays on 50% potting mix & Perlite, packed into the surface, then covered with a 1cm. sand,packed again, then topped with 1cm Perlite and packed again.
There have been very few germinations since mid Nov. and now I would like to close them down over summer for an early start next season.
what should I do to retain viability for 3-6 mths?
Hi, Russ, you are obviously in the southern hemisphere! It’s cold up here in the North country! I don’t do mine in trays but I do hold my seeds over from one season to the next. I keep them in my basement but any cool, dark place should do it. I don’t keep them moist but do check them occasionally because you never know when one will decide to poke it’s nose out!
Even though rose seeds don’t like to germinate in the hot weather, since these ones are already sown in a tray set up and cannot easily be picked out and stored dry for later use, would there be any harm in continuing to just water them anyways, and get whatever germinations result, whenever??
George, I have at present 4 flats(seedling trays) of mixed seed in my perspex hothouse, whatever you want to call it, it has misted irrigation. This is first time use of it, if they fail, they fail. The trays are at the what temperature that is suggested for them to germinate, we will see, nothing lost.
The other thing I have under way at present are seeds in the fridge as per Bill Radlers method, followed strickly to the letter.
This year my timing was off along with the weather and only a little over 150seedlings where transplanted to grow beds. The rest where left in the seed trays under domes with germination continuing except for short times over 80F. When the weather turned colder the germination increased and continued down to 32F. There is something about the fall germination that the seedlings do not like, so come the next spring, even when of good size and planted out they just set there. So next year after a reasonable time the trays are going be allowed to dry out and start over. Meanwhile from this fall 150+ are potted in 6 by 6 round short pots and over 100 still in the seed trays. The pots are now outside, in the basement and jn the windows of the house with seedlings from over 20 plants. Of course this time of year my feet start itching and I hear the call. Neil
I have hips fully ripened now, but I am going to leave them on the plant unless the start to rot or drop off, untill I am ready to stratify them in Feb.