Put pots in frig--older seed

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Posted by sujiwan 6 MD (My Page) on

Thu, May 10, 12 at 22:34

Last week, I decided to sow all my older seed packets of perennials from 2007 to 2009. THese are seeds like yellow foxglove, NE and NY Asters, Erigeron, etc. Would I have better germination of these older seeds if I stuck them in my frig for x amount of time or should I just leave them as is, under lights. I'm not seeing a bit of activity from the foxgloves so far (surface sowed).

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Posted by mandolls 4 (My Page) on
Sat, May 12, 12 at 7:39

I have never heard of anyone putting already sowed seeds into cold storage. Cold and wet is likely to just rot them - isnt it?

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Posted by calistoga USDA 9 Ca 15 (My Page) on
Sat, May 12, 12 at 9:06

If your seed variety requires stratification for a specified length of time, and you have the refrigerator space, sure you can do it. However if you have old dead seed it will not bring them back to life. Al

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Posted by morz8 Z8 Wa coast (My Page) on
Sat, May 12, 12 at 16:54

Mandolls - check 'stratify'. It's the practice of putting moist seeds into a cold environment to break dormancy, and a requirement for many things although not usually for the seeds mentioned above.

I don't know if it would kick start sujiwans older seeds though - always a chance and it doesn't hurt anything but a little refrigerator space occupied to try.

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