seed stratification

Zachary B. Kaufman (zbk49255@challenger.atc.fhda.edu)
Sat, 7 Dec 1996 09:33:57 -0800 (PST)

I have a question for some biologists out there. I would like to
know what exactly is going on during seed stratification. I've
heard that putting seeds in the fridge for a month is enough
to cause them to germinate. Likewise, I've heard that to
stratify seeds, the seeds must be exposed to moisture during the
cold spell to germinate. And finally, I've heard the seeds must
be exposed to at least frost to germinate. What is the real
story here? What is going on in the seed during stratification.
What is the most optimal way of fascilitating this process?

Thanks a lot,
--Zachary--