Stratification in tiny jars working better than it should (for me). Even plants that strictly require cold germination are germinating after just two weeks, when they, in theory, should only germinate after experiencing warm temperatures again.
by StarchildKissteria
8 Comments
Interesting technique. How do you get the seedlings out? Or are you just pricking out the seeds once they have germinated and potting them then in a more traditional container?? I kind of do something similar, soaking larger vegetable seeds before planting out, to get them good and hydrated. Beans and peas mostly
Yes seems to be an extra annoyance of getting seedlings out. Why not just winter sow in milkjugs?
How does this method work, if I may ask?
Where did you get the jars? Curious to follow this experiment and its end results!
Could we have a better picture of the jar itself? I’d like to try and find something similar.
90% off the seed species that I’ve stratified in the fridge in plastic bag and damp paper towel have at one time germinated in the fridge set at 37° F. And many did that because they germinated way before what the recommend Strat time is. I put out two varieties of penstemon in my greenhouse in covered plastic containers with potting soil and they germinated in three weeks, in January! So I wonder if it’s not just the species rather than the jar, I honestly can’t read your handwriting to research the species. I just don’t understand why a glass jar would be different than a milk jug or sandwich bag. Not calling this bogus though. Maybe someone really sciency has an answer. Anyway, nice job on the germinating. Hope to see some pics of them in all their full bloom and glory!
This doesn’t add anything to stratification that little baggies in the refridgerator doesn’t do while taking up space and most of us don’t want them to germinate until they are warm so we can control the schedule rather than rush to get them planted.
I got the bonne maman tiny jam advent calendar one year and used the jars for this! I actually found they lost moisture more than baggies (maybe I just got sand in the lids) but that could be a good thing if mold is your big concern and they’re not in there long enough to dry out. I like that they’re reusable but I didn’t like how much space they took up and cleaning and storing them after lol. I will say i’ve had fridge germination from a few species in bags, cups, and jars so i’m not sure that’s what’s doing the trick here but I wish you continued good luck!