Seed stratification is literally "re-stratification". The emergence of the phrase is associated with the pre-sowing preparation of grains by mixing them with layers of wet sand, followed by placement in the cellar. Today, seed stratification is a broader term that implies a different essence of the action performed.
Classification
Seed stratification is a process that improves future germination. It is divided into warm and cold. In the first case, the seeds are soaked and kept under conditions of high humidity and the necessary aeration. Sphagnum moss is an excellent accumulator of moisture. Due to its bactericidal properties, it helps to curb the reproduction of a fungal infection. The air temperature in this case can vary in the range from 10 to 35 degrees Celsius. The need for this operation is due to the presence of underdeveloped embryos in some seeds. An example of this is a plant such as lemongrass.
Cold stratification of seeds is a process involving preliminary soaking of grains with their subsequent maintenance in conditions of low positive temperature. Moderate ventilation is alsonecessary requirement.
Some plants need phased stratification: first warm, then cold.
Basic rules
Every beginner gardener wonders how to stratify seeds. First of all, it is recommended to soak them in water. After that, the seeds are disinfected with a solution of potassium permanganate, which has a dark pink color. Also, a special drug "Maxim" is suitable for this task. After disinfection, the seeds are sprinkled with a substrate. Some use washed sand for this, which is pre-fried in the oven. But in most cases, the use of peat, sphagnum, coconut substrate is practiced, which have bactericidal properties and suppress the development of various kinds of rot. The ratio of seeds and substrate is one to three, respectively.
Some gardeners are smart enough to place seeds on a damp cloth or cloth placed in a small box. Perfect for this task are two pieces of foam rubber moistened with water, between which the seeds prepared for sowing are laid out.
Important conditions
After the above procedures, the seeds should be provided with the required temperature, depending on the type of stratification (warm or cold). If it is necessary to create coolness, they are placed in a refrigerator or basement, and to provide warmth, they are located close to the central heating system. It is important to remember to create labels indicating where and which seeds are located. Scotch tape is suitable for this purpose,corner cut off from foam rubber or so on. Successful stratification requires sufficient substrate moisture. It should be maintained at the proper level, while avoiding excessive accumulation of water.
In the event that there are a large number of seeds, and there is not enough space in the refrigerator, you can take them out to the balcony and place them in a pallet. The latter is wrapped in several layers of paper.
Stratification of primrose seeds involves placing them directly on the snow. Grains of such plants as lobelia, gloxinia are prepared in a similar way. In the process of snow melting, these small seeds will be compacted and drawn into the ground. Necessary conditions for such preparation: the safety of the snow cover and the absence of pets nearby. Stratification of strawberry seeds is carried out according to the same principle.
How to "wake up" the seeds
The seed material of some vegetable crops is characterized by such a deep physiological dormancy that germination occurs only in rare cases. An example of this is a katran, perennial onion or wild garlic. This property is determined by the conservation mechanism in nature, which excludes untimely germination, leading to death. In order for such seeds to “wake up”, preparation for sowing involves their stratification under conditions of lower temperature and higher humidity. Katran and wild garlic require the passage of warm and cold stages of preparation for sowing. This procedure begins three to four months before sowing, that is, in January. Materialis placed in gauze bags or in a nylon stocking, after which it is tied and marked with a label with the name. During the first three days, the resulting bags are soaked in water, which is regularly changed. After that, the seeds are placed in a pink solution of potassium permanganate.
At the end of the preparation, the bags are carefully straightened, transferred to a box or box filled with the substrate. The latter must always be kept wet. The seed container is placed in a cool basement. Onion stratification is carried out for five months at temperatures from zero to five degrees Celsius, wild garlic - from eighty to one hundred days at air temperatures from zero to three degrees Celsius.
Scarification
Experienced summer residents and gardeners know firsthand what the stratification of flower seeds is. It includes scarification - the process of damaging the hard shell of seeds in order to accelerate their swelling. Produced by careful sawing, splitting, scratching, grinding with sand.
Creating stress conditions
In order for the seeds to germinate better, preparation for sowing involves the use of the method of scalding with boiling water. In this way, the seeds of white acacia, honey locust are processed. To begin with, they are placed in hot water, the temperature of which is from eighty to ninety degrees Celsius. The calculation of the volume of hot water is made in the ratio 1:2 (seeds: water). After that, the seeds are left for a day.in this state so that they swell.
Creating contrast conditions for seeds
In order for the germination to be optimal, the preparation of seeds for sowing involves treatment with water of different temperatures. To do this, the seeds are put in a bag, near which a couple of large containers of water (hot and cold) are placed. Next, the bag is placed in turn in hot and cold water for thirty seconds. The duration of the procedure is ten to fifteen minutes. In conclusion, the seed bag is placed in a container with a small amount of hot water and left in this state for a day.
Acceleration of development with the help of cold
The snowmaking method helps to better understand what flower seed stratification is. The seed container is buried in the snow one to four months before the warm season, depending on the variety. They also resort to laying out bags of seeds made of gauze or nylon among a large snow pile. This method significantly increases the vigor of germination. In order to avoid melting of the top snow layer, it is covered with hay, board, cloth, and so on.
On the eve of spring sowing, seeds are soaked. This makes it possible to achieve a state in which the shell softens and the embryo swells. The process involves placing seeds in a bag that is submerged in water. The temperature in the room should not fall below 18-20 degrees. Water is changed daily.
How to grow clematis
Fashion trends introduced into the gardensflower growers charming flowering vines. Clematis pleases with an unusually huge range of varieties. Despite this, not everyone has the opportunity to purchase a seedling or cuttings of this amazing flower. However, you can buy seed from which an equally beautiful plant will grow. Stratification of clematis seeds is the basis for preparing them for planting in the ground. The seed is placed in a container filled with a special soil mixture, the basis of which is equal parts of such elements as peat, sand and earth. Here, the seeds are aged for several months at a temperature of five degrees Celsius. Do not forget that clematis seed is quite an attractive dinner for various kinds of rodents. In this regard, it will not be superfluous to protect the crop from the external influence of animals using a fine mesh or simple transparent glass. Subject to the above recommendations, you can achieve friendly shoots in 10–20 days.
How to grow grapes from seed
Some people think that this is a rather troublesome and problematic task. Grapes grown from seed begin to bear fruit in the 4-5th year, in some cases later. But there are varieties that bloom in the second year.
In order to grow grapes from seeds, it is necessary to select disease-resistant varieties. Bones are taken only from well-ripened berries. Stratification of grape seeds helps to achieve faster germination. It includes carefulwashing the bones under running water, followed by placing them in a nylon bag and a polyethylene bag. Next, the seeds are placed in the refrigerator, periodically they are removed from the bag and washed. From the moment of cracking the seeds, they are ready for germination. This happens after one or two months from the beginning of stratification. Thanks to this method, those bones that were isolated in September begin their cracking in November.
Thus, rational presowing treatment of seeds increases their germination several times. Stratified hard-to-sprout seeds produce friendly, fast-growing seedlings. In such material, the water content is significantly increased. Thanks to this factor, special enzymes are activated in the seeds, which start the redox process. All this brings the seeds out of "hibernation", called the state of the biochemical pause in the development of the embryo.
