6,340 Garden Web Discussions | Growing from Seed

Yes, what albert said was pretty much it, any seed not frozen in nature probably does not withstand freezing during storage, however that does not mean they cannot receive cold weather for longer storage. Any tropical plant seed could still be cooled to certain temperatures for better storage, but freezing temperatures may rupture the cells when frozen.

I don't think they need to be frozen anyhow. Just keep them cool(or just room temperature) and dry and they will last a long time. Moisture is the biggest enemy. I regularly germinate seed 4 or 5 years old. How long do you really want to keep them?? Most seeds are good for a couple of years easily.
JMO,
Tom



My native oaks plant themselves all over this place. If I don't see them before they get 6 inches tall I cannot pull them up and have to dig them out. They survive by growing a tap root FIRST so that by the time our dry summer arrives(it does not rain from May to November most years)they have established a root that will carry them through. Al

You are right. They are crocus seeds. I gathered some this morning. I had noticed the crocus seed pod when it was green and today there were a few left all withered and white. I have never tried them before either so I have no idea how they will do. Oh, I do know that they are from the dutch crocus though.

I have never collected the seed BUT store the see at 65F for 3 months (aafter ripe) then nick the seed & soak in water for 24 hours then store at 40F for 3 months..... THEN lightly cover the seed soil temp 55-65F & takes 30-365 days to germinate.

trancegemini_wa thank you for your long and very informative post. It clears up much of the mystery for me.
I wish I'd have known about this before buying seed, as it is likely I'd have bought only heirloom seeds. The idea of growing heirloom varieties appeals to me since I'd be growing something I probably can't get in the store. Also, I'm gardening partly to get the freshest and best tasting vegetable flavors possible, and it sounds like heirloom varieties might be best for that.
In some cases I'll get to compare, as I have heirloom and hybrid varieties of a couple of different vegetables.
I'm looking forward to learning all that I can about gardening. Thank you again.

no problem yrdling :)
"The idea of growing heirloom varieties appeals to me since I'd be growing something I probably can't get in the store."
absolutely, there are literally hundreds of heirloom tomato varieties out there for instance you could spend a lifetime just trying them all out, and you realise that not all tomatoes even taste the same, the different heirlooms varieties have different flavour characteristics to each other. when you next buy seeds do some searching online for heirloom vegetable seeds and you'll see just how much variety is out there that you wont find on the shelf at the shops. good luck with your garden :)


This question is at the same time the most stupid and yet the most basic question. Feed forms "in" the flower. and is not fully developed till the seed pod drys. hence the papaer bag around the flower/plant. weather or not this flower produces viable seed is another problem.

If you will review the FAQ's on the Seed Saving forum - it is linked at the top of this forum's front page - you'll find answers to all your questions on how to collect and save seeds.
This forum is about Growing from Seed. ;)
Dave

Pretreatment store moist at 70 F for 4 weeks (normally fulfiled while still on plant before collected..... BUT>>>) then store at 40F for 6 weeks (fulfiled by sowing outside in the fall or in the refrigator) then DO NOT COVER THE SEED soil temp 55F & takes 15-30 days to germinate.......



How should I mix them?
It depends on how much you are mixing at a time. If you are doing a yard or more I would use a cement mixer. Al