Hi all. I'm trying to grow some conifers (pine, spruce, fir, etc.) from seed and have issues with very low germination rates.

I purchase seed online and most have at least 50% advertised germination rates. Typically my germination rates are much lower.

I sow seeds outdoors in the fall in containers. For medium I typically use sand or Turface to try and avoid damping off issues. The seeds stratify naturally over the winter.

In the spring I typically get only a handful of seeds germinating.

Questions:

Should I use a different soil for starting these seeds?

Should I try to stratify the seeds artificially in a plastic bag filled with sand or other medium in a cooler?

Any suggestions for a improved germination rates would be most helpful.

Thanks

Dave