Stratification of seeds

Many gardeners and flower growers for growing various plants use a special way of germinating seeds, called "stratification of seeds." Literally this term means "making a layer" (from Latin). Previously, it meant the laying of layers of seeds of plants and sand. This packing allows one to obtain uniform shoots. Now the stratification of seeds means mixing them with sand or other substrates. What is it used for and how is it performed?

There are some crops, the seeds of which need special preparation for sowing. This preparation is the stratification of seeds. It is that the seeds are placed for a while in a cold and moist environment. After such a procedure, the shoots are more harmonious. Stratification of seeds is most often used to prepare seeds of berry, fruit and some floral crops. Many seeds sprout poorly in the spring planting, since they have a special development cycle. Such crops shed in the autumn ripe fruit, which can germinate only after a prolonged state of rest at low temperatures. Stratification of seeds is the way to create ideal conditions for such crops. This increases their germination.

There are several methods for preparing seeds for germination. For amateur gardeners, the following option is more appropriate.

Stratification of seeds begins with their disinfection. To do this they go down for 15 minutes. In a 0.5% solution of potassium permanganate. After that, they are washed several times. Very dry seeds are pre-soaked in water, which is periodically changed to prevent it from souring. For sowing seeds, boxes or pots are prepared with moist river sand, a mixture of sawdust, peat or compost with sand. Capacities with substrate and seeds are carefully covered with plastic bags and removed to a cold place where the temperature is from 0 to 5 ° C. This place is often the top shelf of the refrigerator. At the end of the stratification period, the temperature is lowered to -1 ° C. Periodically moisten the substrate and monitor the condition of the seeds.

When stratifying a small amount of seeds, cotton wool, folded in 3-4 layers and moistened with water, is used. Between the layers lay seeds of plants. Packaged in plastic bags, the seeds are removed into the refrigerator.

Stratification of seeds of different cultures has a different duration (in days):

• Cherry plum - 130-150;
• Quince - 80-90;
• Plum - 150-160;
• Apricot - 120-150;
• Apple-tree - 120-130;
• Schisandra chinese - 90-120;
• Felt cherry - 100-120;
• Cherry - 150-160.

Seed stone and pome seeds before filling in the refrigerator washed in water for 3-4 days with a regular change of water. This promotes a strong swelling of seeds and the removal of substances that inhibit their germination. In the premature appearance of germs, the temperature is lowered to -1-0 ° C.

Seeds of stone stones can quickly lose their germination capacity upon drying, so they are stratified beforehand. In autumn, when the temperature of the soil becomes 6 ° C, they are sown in open soil. Since autumn, also sow the seeds of the viburnum and hawthorn, which have a long term stratification.

In addition to fruit and berry crops, many seeds of flower crops are also pre-planted. So, the most reliable and economical way of growing lavender is stratification. It is possible when seeds are bought in autumn or in December. The small seeds of this plant require a light substratum (peat with sand, sawdust). The optimum temperature at which the stratification of lavender seeds takes place is 3-5 ° C. The duration of preplant preparation is 35-40 days. Sprouted seeds are sown in peat pots, moistened and covered with a plastic bag. Light is not needed for plants, until sprouts are raised above the ground. After their appearance, plants are rearranged to light.