There are many seeds that due to their origin they need to be cold to be able to germinate. They do this naturally in habitat, since winters are harsh with snowfalls, and with the arrival of spring and high temperatures the seed knows that it must germinate on those days and that is something it does in a spectacular way. . However, it is not always possible to take advantage of the help of the cold to promote germination, and that is why it is necessary to resort to what is known as artificial stratification.
Since the coldest period of the year is approaching, we will talk about how it should be stratified, what materials should we use and when should we proceed to seedlings. In addition to the recommended preventive measures to prevent fungi from appearing.
All seeds of deciduous trees must be stratified. Some examples are:
- Acer genus
- Quercus genus
- Genus of the Fagus
- Genus of the Aesculus
- Genus of the Castanea
For our seeds to germinate well in spring we must have a tupperware with cap, very draining substrate y fungicide ecological.
Proceed as follows:
- Fill the tupperware halfway with substrate
- The seeds are scattered
- They are covered with more substrate
- And finally the ecological fungicide is also spread
Once the lid is closed, put in the fridge keeping the temperature at 6º. It is highly recommended that we take a look at it from time to time in order to avoid fungus.
The time will vary by species, but generally two months are usually enough. Once that time has elapsed, we will proceed to sow the seeds in the seedbed to be able to enjoy their germination in the flowering season of the year.
It is important to add that, if you live in a climate whose winter is cold with freezing temperatures and snowfall, you can sow the seeds directly in a pot as soon as you collect them and nature will do the rest.
Thanks for the article, I just need to layer alonsoas and I don't know how much they need.
A abrazo.
Hi Nicky.
Plants of the genus Alonsoa, such as Alonsoa acutifolia, can be sown directly in pots.
If you don't mean these types of plants, tell me.
A abrazo.
Yes, alonsoa meridionalis actually ... thanks, I think I read wrong, I thought they should be stratified.
Regarding other seeds, should they be stratified in the fridge or in the vegetable area?
Hi Nicky.
The other seeds are stratified in the refrigerator at about 6ºC.
A greeting.
Hi Moni
I would like to ask you if these days I can stratify seeds, since if they take two to three months, I would have to be sowing them almost in autumn and I don't know if they would resist winter, here the temperature drops to -2 C. The seeds I have are by Acer Rubrum, Acer Ginnala, M Glyptostroboides and C Sempervirens,
Thank you very much
regards
Hello Maria.
I recommend stratifying them in winter and then planting them in pots in spring.
Now you could too, but they may not germinate until spring, due to the low temperatures in fall and winter.
A greeting.
Hi Monica, I'm layering monarda citriodora in my fridge using the napkin method, and the paper that wraps the seeds froze… Is that bad for germination?
Hello Rita.
It can be, yes. If you can, I would recommend putting them in a tupperware with peat or, better, vermiculite, in the fridge (not in the vegetable area or in the freezer).
Greetings, and good luck with those seeds 🙂
Hello, I hope you can help me, I am Mexican and in my country I have not obtained the virgin vine plant, but I have seeds, right now we are here in summer, my doubt is that if I stratified them in my refrigerator for two months I would then be passing them to the pot in late autumn, can a plant be born ??? I wait to stratify in winter ?? In my city the temperature in spring-summer reaches a minimum of 10 ° degrees and a maximum of 32 but sometimes it reaches 36 ° and in winter the minimums q are recorded are -8 degrees. Is this favorable for the virgin vine?
Hello Pearl.
Yes, the climate in which you live will grow the virgin vine well.
I would recommend sowing them directly in pots in autumn, since at those temperatures it is not necessary to stratify them in the fridge.
a greeting
Hi Moni
I hope you are excellent…. In your article you mention that it must be damp, that is, in case of lack of moisture it must be sprayed ... ... with mineral water or fungicide ... ... or it is only damp at the beginning of the stratification.
I appreciate all your advice
DTB
Regards,
Hello Maria.
Thank you, I wish you the same 🙂.
The substrate has to be damp, right. Once a week it is advisable to open the container to check its humidity, since if it were too dry the seeds would spoil. It has to be moistened with water, but once a month you can add fungicide.
A greeting.
Hi, I'm from Mexico and I'm trying to germinate cherries, but I don't know exactly what the temperature of the refrigerator is or the time; Could you help me?
Hello Isaac.
The optimum temperature is 6ºC, for three months.
You have to open the tupperware once a week so that the air is renewed, thus avoiding the proliferation of fungi.
A greeting.