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February 14, 2005
Sierra Juniper seeds
I have a long history of failure with Sierra Juniper seeds.
I first tried to throw some seeds in pots, stratify outdoors, and wait. Nothing. Nothing. I had been planning to wait another year, after hearing that repeated stratification can help, but finally decided I couldn't take those seeds along during my recent move.
I then tried to stratify for about 8 weeks after subjecting to various treatments: scarification, boiling water, acid, etc. Nothing. So I put those seeds back in the refrigerator (using the baggie method) and I'll try again this year.
Finally, though, I found what must be the ultimate authority on germination of Juniper seeds, in Forest Science. These guys studied germination of western and Utah juniper for a solid TEN YEARS. They tell me that I just need to stratify longer; also they recommended a blender for harvesting juniper seed. The harvesting went famously. As for the stratification, we'll see. I put 192 seeds in the refrigerator yesterday, for a projected 14 weeks.
Their best conditions, though, were--get this--14 weeks in water at 5C, with constantly bubbling compressed air. I tried to convince my wife that it would be fine. I was going to get a little fish-tank air pump, snake the tube into our refrigerator, and go for it. I was ready, but she couldn't be convinced. Perhaps I'll be revisiting the issue in 22 weeks or so. I am determined to grow these plants from seed.
February 14, 2005 in Growing from Seed | Permalink