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Doe sanyone have a refernce or website that lists the length of time different species of seeds need to be dormant and at what tempuratures? Plants: 253 | From: Virginia | Registered: Oct 2002
| Seeded: 206.208.228.251
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I did find one web page that had some information you might be interested in Renee. Take a look at Plant-Specific Seed-Saving Tips found at http://csf.colorado.edu/perma/stse/intro.htm
I also found this article for you.... Storing Vegetable and Flower Seeds by J.E. Ells and L.N. Bass
Quick Facts... Vegetable and flower seeds may be kept for one year without appreciable decrease in germination. Storage may be extended to 10 or more years under proper conditions. Seed moisture and storage temperature are the most important factors in determining how long seed can be stored. The drier the seeds are, the longer they will store. A Garden's success depends in part on the quality of seeds planted. Ensure good quality seed by planting fresh seed from a reputable seed company. Often, there is seed left over after a crop is planted. If there is enough for the next year, save it.
Storing Seed In Colorado, all vegetable and flower seeds will store on a shelf at room temperature for at least one year without significant loss of germination. If there is enough seed for several years, then take further steps to ensure viability.
A 10-year storage life can be achieved by drying seed to less than 8 percent moisture. To do so, dry seed at 100 degrees F for six hours. Obtain this temperature by spreading the seed out in direct sunlight. However, because sunlight is harsh and easily can exceed this temperature, drying in the shade is better.
Never use a microwave oven. You may use a conventional oven if you keep the door open and the seed is not heated to more than 100 degrees. Package the seed in moisture-proof containers and store it in a refrigerator or deep freezer. A moisture-proof container is one that stores seed safely while submerged in water. Use sealed cans or jars, rather than plastic bags.
Factors Affecting Seed Storage Conditions essential to good seed storage are just the opposite of those required for good germination. Good germination occurs when water and oxygen are present at a favorable temperature. Good seed storage results when seeds are kept dry (below 8 percent moisture) and the temperature is kept low (below 40 degrees).
When seed moisture and storage temperature are low, the presence of oxygen has not been shown to be a factor in seed longevity. Germination is unaffected by storage in atmospheres of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, partial vacuum or air.
Relative humidity (RH) influences the moisture content of seed if it is not stored in moisture-proof containers. For example, at 15 percent RH, seed will dry down to 6 percent moisture and will store safely in this condition for several years. However, at 90 percent RH, seed will dry down to only 19 percent moisture and germination will be poor after one year.
Hard Seed The drier the seeds, the longer they will store. There is a chance of producing what is known as "hard seed" if moisture is reduced below 8 percent. Hard seed resists germination under favorable conditions because it does not absorb enough water. When planted, the seed gradually absorbs water, germinates and produces seedlings over an extended period. A seed lot containing 50 percent hard seed is little better than a lot containing 50 percent dead seed, because neither produces a stand of seedlings when they should.
Beans and peas are particularly subject to this condition and therefore should not be dried as completely as other seed. If they have been overdried, they germinate better if exposed to a humid atmosphere for two weeks before planting.
To be in compliance with the Colorado Seed Law, packets of vegetable seed sold in Colorado must germinate at or above the germination percentage shown in Table 1. As yet, there are no standards for flower seeds under Colorado laws and, therefore, the only assurance of quality is the reputation of the seed company.
Minimum germination, and relative longevity of selected vegetable seed. Kind of seed Minimum germination (percentage)and Relative longevity (years)
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Thanks so much Flower! You seem to be extremely knowledgable with gardening! I read alot of your's and Will Creed's replies. I started a trellised garden 2 years ago.It measures 24feet by 20 feet. It has roses, cannas, wisteria, lilies, columbines,tulips, daffodiles, hibiscus,and some low growing flowers. It was such a challenge but it came out so beautiful that I want another one (Not a trellis) besides I already need to dive all most of my annuals. They really do well with the neighbors horse manure. The garden is likea drug....the more time i spend in it the more I want to. What a vicous cycle! Thanks again! Renee
Plants: 253 | From: Virginia | Registered: Oct 2002
| Seeded: 206.208.228.251
posted
"Doe sanyone have a refernce or website that lists the length of time different species of seeds need to be dormant and at what tempuratures?"
I've had the same concerns. I recently sowed some purple cone flower seeds (magnus). From what i read u r supposed to chill the seeds u sowed in the refrigerator for a couple weeks.I don't have a spare refrigerator;so, i stuck them out in the garage where it is very cool (freezing right now, actually). Before placing them out in the garage i let the trays soak up as much water as possible. I'm just wondering if i "screwed- up". I did the same thing with some butterfly weed that i sowed. Can anyone tell me if i made a mistake?
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Renee In response to your question about dormancy, the best way to gauge the seeds requirements is to look at its behavior in its native habitat. For example, Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) matures its seed after frost and gradually releases it at the beginning of winter to be carried on the wind. It will be exposed to winters cold. As the snow melts in the spring, the seed is first on the snow, then the cold, wet soil, exposed to the light. It is this cold treatment, followed by exposure to light and moisture together that bring about germination. As far as specific requirements for different seeds, I don't know of any one place to get this information. Any data is usually a minimum requirement. The temperature will generally be the normal winter temperatures in the plants native area. The time figures, when available, are generally a "minimun required". With many seeds, it is the variations in temperature and moisture (normal weather fluctuations) that trigger germination. Echinacea, for example, is listed as 14 days up to 90 days, depending on which species you look at. If the species needs 14 days, and you give it 90, it will probably grow. Many Echinacea species also require exposure to light to germinate. I have had success with Echinacea angustifolia by placing the seed on a paper towel, folded in 4 on a coffee cup saucer, moistening it, and putting it in a zippered plastic bag in the fridge for a month or so. The frigde is cold, near 32º F. After a month or more of cold, moist treatment, I plant the seeds in paper pots in small depressions on the soil surface, and put the pots on the greenhouse floor, out of direct sunlight. It germinates in about 2 weeks. As a general rule, don't soak the seeds. If they take in too much water, they can be damaged by the expanding ice when they freeze. One of the best ways to deal with seeds that require cold treatment or stratification, is to plant them in a "nursery" bed in the fall, mark the rows well and/or write down EXACTLY where you put them, use screen or hardware cloth to keep out rodents, and let nature run its course. We can duplicate a "required" temperature or time period, but it is much harder to duplicate the cycles of nature. Some seeds, like Black Cohosh, require a warm period, followed by a cool period (winter), and them another warm period or it will not germinate. The seed uses the first warm period to finish developing its embryo, after being distributed by the parent plant. If the warm period is too short or is skipped, the seed never matures, therefore won't germinate. The most reliable method is to give the seed as close to naturally occurring conditions as possible. Hope this helps Rick
Plants: 107 | From: Northern lower Michigan | Registered: Jan 2003
| Seeded: 198.108.224.167
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