Seed stratifying question

CrankyYankee · 7 January

I've been searching but cannot find any information about my dilemma. I saved some perennial seeds that need stratifying, but but some apparently need cold/moist conditions. Most of my seeds were dried and packaged in light-proof envelopes, and tucked in the back of the fridge, most for at least 3 months or more. If they've been chilled for that long, do they need to come out, be put on moistened paper towels, then put back in the fridge for a few weeks, or is the months-long chill enough, even though it was dry? When I sow them, they'll be in moist material in a darker corner on heat mats for a few days or weeks until they germinate.

nutcutlet · 7 January

Stratification doesn't start until the seeds imbibe some water. Until then, dry in the fridge, they are being stored.
I usually do my stratification outside (though this year I felt they were more than wet enough and stood them inside the cold GH). I try to do as nature does, sow when they fall off the plant and leave them to experience some warmish then colder as winter passes. I use pots with grit on top rather than seed trays

CrankyYankee · 7 January

Thank you! There are some plants, like lupine and foxglove, that I will harvest and spread around the garden on the spot, and let nature do the rest. I generally start annuals from seed, so this is a little bit of a learning curve. I realize now why so many of my perennial seeds failed last year, so I'm hoping to do better this year.

nutcutlet · 7 January

Foxgloves never fail with that treatment

bédé · 8 January

Stratified seeds need to feel the cold. That means damp. It is not time that is relevant, but number of freeze-thaw cycles.

Seed stratifying question

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