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Do I need to stratificate seed?

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  • 23-06-2011 9:27am
    #1
    almighty1
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,183 ✭✭✭


    Hi,

    I recently acquired some dried Lilac, Acer Rubrum, Tulip Tree and Strawberry tree seeds. Instead of stratification Im going to sow these in September/October and let Winter, Spring, Summer perform the steps naturally.

    Anyway considering they are dried should I scarificate the seeds first?

    Edit : Sorry the title should be "Do I need to scarificate seeds" ...... doh.


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    #2
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 49,529 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    we had a strawberry tree die in the cold winter; i suspect they're limited naturally to the southwest because of the milder climate.


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    #3
    redser7
    Registered Users Posts: 2,730 ✭✭✭redser7


    Cover yourself and do both. Could be a long time to wait only to have a failure. And you'll learn something from the experiment. Mulch any young growth for winter or pop a makeshift coldframe over them in the harshest weather.


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    #4
    almighty1
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,183 ✭✭✭almighty1


    redser7 wrote: »
    Mulch any young growth for winter ......

    Thanks dude, could you explain what you mean here?


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    #5
    redser7
    Registered Users Posts: 2,730 ✭✭✭redser7


    Well some people protect perennials during the winter by mulching, ie covering them over with a layer of straw or leaves, something like that. Because these will be young plants might be no harm to give them a bit of protection. If they are in open ground best would be to wrap them in horticultural fleece. You can pick it up cheap in the likes of B&Q. Gives good protection. If they are in pots, you could put them in greenhouse or coldframe.


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    #6
    almighty1
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,183 ✭✭✭almighty1


    Actually looking at the stratification period for the seeds they vary from 12-18 weeks in the fridge. This will bring me up until Sept-Oct anyway so I dont think I'll bother.

    I was planning to DIY up my own cold frame during the summer as I want to get some cuttings from my Photinia, will make it big enough for the pots I will plant the seeds.

    So my plan is

    -Scarificate for 48 hours
    -Sow in pots afterwards (early Oct)
    -Place pots in cold frame

    When should I remove the (hopeful) seedlings from the cold frame?


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    #7
    redser7
    Registered Users Posts: 2,730 ✭✭✭redser7


    Have to say I'm by no means an expert :-) But I would imagine once things begin to warm up. Say early spring. Just lift the lid more and more at first. Be careful, even in winter, a sunny day can heat up a cold frame a lot. Just be vigilant.


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