Q: What is an effective way to germinate perennial seeds? A: Seeds from perennials, ornamental shrubs or species roses need special conditions to germinate properly--the cold, wet conditions they experience in nature during the winter. This process--stratification--can take place indoors as well.
First, take some sand (a handful or two) and an equal amount of sphagnum moss that is pre-wet, and put both ingredients in a small plastic bag. Then add two teaspoons full of seeds (up to a third of the ingredients can be seeds) (Figure A). Then close the bag well and shake the ingredients up so that everything is mixed. Next, give the bag the cold treatment by placing it in a refrigerator in the meat compartment. After about 90 days in the refrigerator, the seeds can be planted.
In the spring, seeds can also be planted in a container. Take a small tablespoon full of the mixture (Figure B) and plant it on top of the soil in a regular pot; put a little more soil on top of the seed mixture. Four to five seedlings will probably emerge. Select the healthiest looking plants.
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