Hi @YC ... No - not so far given them a go - been wondering how to go about it ... I'm going to try your 'techniques' to see if I can get them to germinate ...
Although having had a degree of success in 2019 (5 healthy plum "trees" in total), I am still at the trial & error stage. I intend ammending my methods slightly.
One observation was that many seeds that had been stratified without their shells (at stage two-in fridge with wet tissue) went mouldy and rotted-coincidense or otherwise.
It is almost as though the shell provides a protection from the moist air while still fulfilling the stratification requirements. Pretty much like the stones being in nature if you think about it.
This time round, I shall stratify all the seeds in their shells for the full duration.
The stratrification will be 3 months for some, and 2 months for others. I'm curious to observe rate of success between the different strat times.
After stratification and immediate removal from shells, some seeds will go in to moist tissue while the others will go in to moist compost. In both cases the trays will go straight in to a warm environment end of March. (No time in moist tissue in a fridge this time ! ).
So, starting stratification of one batch of stones 1st Jan and the 2nd batch 1st Feb. Both batches will be ready to be sowed end of March.
this post as just reminded me that I have two Greengage plants growing that found growing from plums that had fallen from my neighbours large overhanging tree ! i'll check em out next time I swim up to the allotment .
My 5 plum trees from 2019 survived the winter. Not due to any skill on my part-we had a mild winter in comparison to some years. Being up against the wall under the bay windows was helpful.
Here are those 5 now, near my garage for the photo. Four are in 2lt pots. One is in a 3lt. The end of summer should see them all in 3lt pots. The one at the front looks a bit strange to me. Quite a dense foliage, but only about 100mm/4 inch wide. Anyone know why?
Posts
One observation was that many seeds that had been stratified without their shells (at stage two-in fridge with wet tissue) went mouldy and rotted-coincidense or otherwise.
It is almost as though the shell provides a protection from the moist air while still fulfilling the stratification requirements. Pretty much like the stones being in nature if you think about it.
This time round, I shall stratify all the seeds in their shells for the full duration.
The stratrification will be 3 months for some, and 2 months for others. I'm curious to observe rate of success between the different strat times.
After stratification and immediate removal from shells, some seeds will go in to moist tissue while the others will go in to moist compost. In both cases the trays will go straight in to a warm environment end of March. (No time in moist tissue in a fridge this time ! ).
So, starting stratification of one batch of stones 1st Jan and the 2nd batch 1st Feb. Both batches will be ready to be sowed end of March.
Here are those 5 now, near my garage for the photo. Four are in 2lt pots. One is in a 3lt. The end of summer should see them all in 3lt pots.
The one at the front looks a bit strange to me. Quite a dense foliage, but only about 100mm/4 inch wide. Anyone know why?