cold seeds

[Nicos]

Have just been thinking ...I understand that some seeds germinate better if they have been stored in the fridge or freezer. Does anyone know which these are and how long they need exposing to the cold?

[nick the grief]

I keep all my seed in the Fridge - hacks my wife off no end.

The only seed I can think of that need this sort of treatment are Alpines and usually a couple of weeks is good enough. More important is the moisture content. Normal seeds in foil should be OK, if you save youre own, stick a packet of silica gell in whith them (usually packing in electrical bits like cameras etc) and this helps.

If the silica gets too full of moisture you can stick it in the oven after you've done the roasties & it's turned off and this will fry them out to re-use them. Some of them haave a colourant added that turns blue from pink (or the other way round) as a guide.

[suee]

Hi Nicos, novice trying to give advice - in memory of my Dad. He always used to tell me to save seeds from perennials, and put them in the freezer as that would simulate their natural condition over winter, then you could put them in new positions in spring. Not sure how this applies to veggies but you can see the point! Thanks for all your advice in other threads, Sue.

[Alice]

Hello Nicos, you're right . Some seeds do need a "winter" before they will germinate. Some trees and shrubs come into this category. If it is seeds yiu are buying it will tell you about this on the packet. If it is seeds you are taking from plants in your garden what I usually do for perennials is plant them in seed trays or pots straight away, put them in sealed freezer bags and leave them in the unheated green house all winter then take them into some heat when I want them to geminate. Seems to work well enough for flowers, trees and shrubs. Don't know about vegetables. Point is if the plant would do it naturally then thats the wy to do it.