| Author | Content |
dave
November 10, 2008 9:50 AM Post #5773068
| There are a total of 490 votes:
| It is when a seed needs to be chipped to germinate
(170 votes, 34%) |  |
| It is when a seed needs a period of wet weather to germinate
(12 votes, 2%) | |
| It is when a seed needs a period of cold to germinate
(301 votes, 61%) | |
| It is when a seed must have light to germinate
(7 votes, 1%) | |
|
Previous Polls |
dmdula
Morganton, NC
November 10, 2008 11:29 AM Post #5773125
| Actually, in stratification, a seed needs to be kept moist AND wet for a period of time in order to germinate. I am in my final few months of horticulture technology program at college and we learned this recently. |
CountryGardens
Lewisville, MN (Zone 4a)
November 10, 2008 12:41 PM Post #5773251
| Big words are always fun!
I believe it's the need to be cold for a period of time.
Lots of perennials will not germinate until frozen for a length of time.
Bernie |
bjwilson
Kemp, TX (Zone 8a)
November 10, 2008 12:50 PM Post #5773271
| Stratification is a combination of both moisture and cold. Chipping can destroy the embryo, scraping can intensify the stratification in artificial circumstances (ie. refrigeration vs direct sowing outdoors). Light has nothing to do with the definition of stratification.
|
critterologist
Frederick, MD (Zone 6b)
November 10, 2008 1:53 PM Post #5773434
| I think some seeds need freeze/thaw cycles in order to weaken the seed coat in places, allowing water to penetrate for germination. In those cases, "stratification" can involve either periods of cold or careful chipping/scraping, but moisture is also needed at some point. So I think the only factor not involved is light... a lot of seeds need light to germinate of course, but that's a separate consideration from stratification.
Just as a note, seeds that germinate best with stratification are often great candidates for winter sowing! |
phicks
Lakeland, FL (Zone 9b)
November 10, 2008 4:14 PM Post #5773942
| the placing of seeds in damp sand or sawdust or peat moss in order to preserve them or promote germination Paul |
critterologist
Frederick, MD (Zone 6b)
November 10, 2008 4:16 PM Post #5773951
| hmm... Paul's response makes me wonder... are "stratification" and "cold stratification" two related but different things? |
brigidlily
Lumberton, TX (Zone 8b)
November 10, 2008 4:17 PM Post #5773956
| Oh, well, I had a 75% chance of getting it wrong and I DID!
This is why apples won't grow down here -- it's not cold enough long enough. If I planted some apple trees and we DID have a real winter (we do, once in a blue moon) would it produce? |
phicks
Lakeland, FL (Zone 9b)
November 10, 2008 4:41 PM Post #5774054
| Id say Yes |
carrielamont
Euless, TX (Zone 8a)
November 10, 2008 4:58 PM Post #5774101
| we still don't know the real answer; I don't see it anywhere yet, I mean the OFFICIAL answer. |
plantladylin
Daytona Beach, FL (Zone 9b)
November 10, 2008 5:14 PM Post #5774154
| Oops ... Looks like I got this one wrong! I had no clue but took a wild guess and voted for chipping. I just LOVE this Garden, I learn something new every single day!
I googled for Seed Stratification and found a definition at Wikipedia.org but for some reason it's not pasting the link to the page I'm reading.
Googling some more, I found this: http://gardenline.usask.ca/misc/seed_str.html and this: http://forestry.about.com/od/treeplanting/qt/stratification...
|
Meredith79
Southeastern, NH (Zone 5b)
November 10, 2008 5:41 PM Post #5774244
| I voted the period of wet because I thought there are different types of stratification and it did not say 'cold' stratification so I didn't pick the one that specifically said cold. I am pretty sure I remember some seeds need a 'warm' stratification but my memory is not always the greatest. ; )
I now realize I am thinking there are different types of stratification because some seeds need 'cold dry stratification' which still means a period of cold. So I guess I was just too busy worrying this was a trick question. I should have gone with my first instict - which was that they need a period of cold. As it seems this is most likely the official answer. : )
This message was edited Nov 10, 2008 12:54 PM |
Resin
Northumberland
United Kingdom (Zone 9a)
November 10, 2008 7:07 PM Post #5774553
| Strictly, none of these . . . stratification is when something (anything, it needn't be seeds) is put down into layers (Latin, stratum: layer, blanket, bed cover). A layer cake is also stratified, and so of course are rock strata and stratus clouds . . .
;-)
|
SingingWolf
Menifee, CA (Zone 9a)
November 10, 2008 7:20 PM Post #5774593
| Thanks Resin:
I was a geology/science major in college, and have only heard the term used in discussing the layers of earth. I've never heard it used in gardening before. Learn something new everyday. I can't wait to see what the right answer is.
WIB,
SW |
schickenlady
Sherrie In, NH (Zone 5a)
November 10, 2008 8:59 PM Post #5774927
| The maple tree pods or what ever they are. The helicopter thingies need cold stratification. |
Resin
Northumberland
United Kingdom (Zone 9a)
November 10, 2008 9:17 PM Post #5774998
| The gardening usage derives from forestry usage, where seeds were stored outdoors over winter (to give them their winter chilling requirement) in a large container; a layer of soil, a layer of seeds, a layer of soil, a layer of seeds, a layer of soil, etc. Think in terms of a forestry nursery with 50,000 acorns needing to be stored cold and moist over the winter, before the invention of refrigeration; hence the layers. So the answer expected of us is #3.
Resin
|
Kelli
L.A. (Canoga Park), CA (Zone 10a)
November 10, 2008 11:34 PM Post #5775589
| Isn't "cold stratification" redundant? |
roybird
Santa Fe, NM
November 10, 2008 11:38 PM Post #5775598
| I thought it was when a seed needs to be chipped or nicked to germinate. Interesting. Critterologist mentioned moisture, too, for this process. I'm thinking about how moon flower seeds need to be nicked and soaked in order to soften up enough to sprout. |
grampapa
Wheatfield, NY (Zone 6a)
November 11, 2008 1:03 AM Post #5775915
| roybird, when the seed needs to be chipped or nicked, the term, I believe, is scarification. It's confusing, but think of it as 'scarring' the seed when you nick it. |
critterologist
Frederick, MD (Zone 6b)
November 11, 2008 1:23 AM Post #5776022
| The freeze-thaw of cold stratification does essentially produce scarification (the term lacking in my post above -- thanks). |
SingingWolf
Menifee, CA (Zone 9a)
November 11, 2008 1:55 AM Post #5776138
| Resin:
I sure am glad you all know the terminology, and share the definitions. I can picture perfectly what you mean now.
Thanks. Thanks too, to grampapa for his contribution with scarification. I was wondering what that was called. Now I know. Critterologist is right of course that the expansion and contraction of freezing causes scarification. Just not so familiar with it where I live in So. CA.
Thanks to you all, most educational.
WIB,
SW |
roybird
Santa Fe, NM
November 11, 2008 2:00 AM Post #5776154
| Grampapa, that's the word! Scarification. Makes sense. I got scarification and stratification confused. Thanks. |
victorgardener
Lower Hudson Valley , NY (Zone 6b)
November 11, 2008 2:04 AM Post #5776165
| And if it doesn't grow - scatification. If it does - gratification. |
roybird
Santa Fe, NM
November 11, 2008 2:39 AM Post #5776280
| Pretty funny! l.o.l. |
grampapa
Wheatfield, NY (Zone 6a)
November 11, 2008 3:07 AM Post #5776372
| Thanks, Victor LOL. a nice break in a rather dry discussion : ) |
CapeCodGardener
Mid-Cape, MA (Zone 7a)
November 11, 2008 1:59 PM Post #5777546
| If it doesn't grow: DRATification!!
I got this quiz right only because I winter-sow and anyone who does so gets a short course in stratification. But I didn't really know all the details--and I loved Resin's image of all those barrels and barrels of acorns!! Thanks! |
3gardeners
Mableton, GA (Zone 7a)
November 11, 2008 4:06 PM Post #5778038
| Well which one works on Passionflower seeds because I always end up with Dratification! |
BlissfulGarden
Baton Rouge, LA (Zone 8b)
November 11, 2008 5:14 PM Post #5778300
| 3gardeners, LOL!!!! |
dahlianut
Calgary, AB (Zone 3a)
November 11, 2008 6:05 PM Post #5778509
| This is a tricky one. I'm with the helicopter thingies (good one schickenlady  ). There really isn't a clear answer in the poll is there? Anything that causes 'beautification' works for me. |
SingingWolf
Menifee, CA (Zone 9a)
November 11, 2008 7:34 PM Post #5778830
| Thanks for the laughs Victor and CapeCodGardener. So if it doesn't behave properly does it become a Bratification?
LOL!
WIB
SingingWolf |
MollyD1953
Columbia, TN (Zone 7b)
November 12, 2008 12:08 AM Post #5779900
| Wikipedia says that when the term is used in horticulture "stratification is the process of pretreating seeds to simulate natural conditions that a seed must endure before germination. Many seed species have what is called an embryonic dormancy and generally speaking will not sprout until this dormancy is broken."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stratification (follow the botany topic they list) so I'd say that none of the choices presented fit the definition completely.
MollyD
This message was edited Nov 11, 2008 7:09 PM
This message was edited Nov 11, 2008 7:10 PM |
dahlianut
Calgary, AB (Zone 3a)
November 12, 2008 12:18 AM Post #5779940
| Heh Dave usually puts the answer at the top when its a quiz. I wonder why he didn't do it this time? Maybe he's still voting in the Photo Contest (which is taking me FOREVER because they are all so beautiful sigh).
This message was edited Nov 11, 2008 5:21 PM |
weed_woman
Coffs Harbour
Australia
November 12, 2008 7:54 AM Post #5781412
| I didn't vote, but came here to see what you would all say, because during my horticulture course, stratification was used on seeds to do as MollyD suggests, which for us, involved pouring boiling water over some hard coated seeds and allowing them to soak. We also tried scarification on the same seed type to see which worked better, (by rubbing a spot on the seed with sand paper) so I though Stratification was as mollyD suggests. Thats why I didn't vote, because I didn't see the option I was looking for.
Come on Dave, put us at peace! |
CountryGardens
Lewisville, MN (Zone 4a)
November 12, 2008 12:24 PM Post #5781623
| "Scarifying involves scratching, etching, or some sort of superficial cutting or incision. Scarification can be applied to horticulture, which involves cutting the seed coat using acid, sand paper, or a knife to encourage germination,"
This is taken from Wikipedia on Google.
Like grampapa said in post # 5775915, you have the two terms mixed up.
Stratification, taken from Wikipedia,
"In the wild, seed dormancy is usually overcome by the seed spending time in the ground through a winter period and having their hard seed coat softened up by frost and weathering action. By doing so the seed is undergoing a natural form of "cold stratification" or pretreatment. This cold moist period triggers the seed's embryo, its growth and subsequent expansion eventually break through the softened seed coat in its search for sun and nutrients."
Bernie |
Tallulah_B
(Susan) Calgary, AB (Zone 3b)
November 12, 2008 7:30 PM Post #5783172
| So I got it wrong...siiiiiiiiiiiiigh
ah well - at least now I know LOL |
fernman23
HENDERSON, NV (Zone 9a)
November 12, 2008 9:48 PM Post #5783574
| I am with wikipedia and Molly~I think the true answer is simulating it natural weather, which, would in most cases be a cooler period more oftern as opposed to a wet one which is likely to occur at least minimally due to the weather changes in winter, even if it is only condensation. Unless you are a pine cone, then you would need fire, right? lol...
:D |
growin
Vancouver, BC (Zone 8b)
 November 13, 2008 2:29 AM Post #5784699
| The National Tree Seed Laboratory has this pdf about seed biology with reference to different statifications: http://www.nsl.fs.fed.us/wpsm/Chapter1.pdf . Seems more to do with the mechanism to break dormancy although I thought stratification included hot/cold and other techniques like smoke treatment was a type of stratification. Resin's explanation makes sense - layered to create an environment to break dormancy. I know Davidia involucrata is double-dormant and requires several months cold, several months warm, several months cold and again warmth to break and germinate. My 2 cents. |
beebonnet
Coos Bay, OR (Zone 9a)
November 13, 2008 6:11 PM Post #5786726
| I got it wrong and shouldn't have. Oh Well. Better luck next time. |
codysdadone
East Moline, IL
November 14, 2008 4:49 AM Post #5789031
| I use cold stratification on my acorns each year to make them sprout when I start them in root pruning trays about the 1st of the year. It usually takes about 90 days for them in the bottom of the fridge. I usually rinse them off in some warm water first so I guess they have enough moisture in them to do the job. They always start sprouting within a week or two.
I have heard of scarification when starting hard seeds such as persimmon and hickory nuts, but have never had the opportunity to try them. |
gloria125
Greensboro, AL
November 14, 2008 9:32 PM Post #5791357
| Critter you answered my question. Seeds that require stratification should be the best for wintersowing.
Right Now! |
critterologist
Frederick, MD (Zone 6b)
November 15, 2008 12:47 AM Post #5791965
| LOL.. here, I don't start winter sowing until February. We often get some "unseasonably" warm weather in January, followed by very low temps... seeds sown now would probably sprout and perish! (but I understand your impatience) |
gessiegail
Taft, TX (Zone 9a)
November 15, 2008 12:56 AM Post #5792005
| I use the deep freeze for seeds requiring stratification since we don't have freezes that last more than a few hours... |
melvatoo
Denton, TX (Zone 7a)
November 15, 2008 8:28 AM Post #5793049
| I have always called the process that I do with Blue Bonnet seeds, 'torturing them' that is when they are put into water, and frozen, then thawed and re-frozen and then planted...it seems to work with Blue Bonnet seeds they have a very hard seed coat...there was a man, some years ago...who would put seeds for the Blue Bonnets in a cement mixer...I guess that would be scarification...that seems to work too. |
webrown
Fitzgerald, GA (Zone 8b)
November 15, 2008 1:29 PM Post #5793309
| It is commonly listed as a way to start sweet pea seeds & okra. |
WUVIE
Hulbert, OK (Zone 7a)
November 17, 2008 1:15 AM Post #5799256
| Ding, ding, ding!
What did I win? LOL
KM |
