RE: Seed Requirements

From: Mellard, David (dam7@ATSDHA1.EM.CDC.GOV)
Date: Thu Jun 26 1997 - 12:14:00 PDT


Date: Thu, 26 Jun 97 14:14:00 EST
From: "Mellard, David" <dam7@ATSDHA1.EM.CDC.GOV>
To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com
Message-Id: <aabcdefg2493$foo@default>
Subject: RE: Seed Requirements

Hi Ryan,

Your Sarr need to be stratified. Even a few weeks at cold, moist
temperatures will improve germination with about 5 or 6 weeks needed to
reach max germination. I put my seeds in a sealed container with some wet
sphagnum moss since moisture is needed for them to stratify. I make sure
that the container is small that the seeds have contact with the moss. If
you don't have wet sphagnum moss then a damp paper towel or piece of cloth
will probably do the same.

A 1:1 soil sand mix is all that's needed for Sarr. I keep the pots sitting
in water and keep the water level very high so that the seed have a lot of
contact with moisture. Also, don't pack the top of the media before you add
the seed. This will allow the seed to have greater contact with the water
in the mix. After germination, I let the water level drop to a more
reasonable level. You will still get germination at 70 F but it will take
longer. If you can get the temperature up to the 80's or 90's, germination
will be faster. If you can't provide warm weather, you could put a heating
pad underneath the tray and monitor the water temp so that it doesn't go
above the high 90's. You'll also need sunlight or keep them as close to
fluorescent light as possible.

I didn't realize that Darlingtonia's needed much of a stratification. Don't
let them go too long without sowing, though, because at room temperature,
they will loose their viability. I'm not sure how long they remain viable
at refrigerated temperatures. Would like to know the answer, though, from
someone who has kept them refrigerated before sowing.

Good luck
David
 ----------
> I have seed for:

>Darlingtonia, S. minor, N. rafflesiana, S. flava, and D. binata

>Basically, I'd just like to know if there is some kind of special mix they
>like other than my basic peat/sand/spagnum mix. Also, which of the seed
need
>stratification? I know Darlingtoina do, but how long? Oh, one more
thing...
>is a temperature of about 70 deg F okay for germination? That's what's
>easily available, but changes can be made. Thanks!

Ryan Pavlovicz
Pavlo2@aol.com



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