Cold stratification after planting?
 

Just curious, has anyone tried cold stratifying sikkimensis seeds after soaking and planting? I did not cold stratify my seeds before starting the process and am wondering if anyone can think of a reason why this should not be tried. I have several batches of sikki seeds in seed mix now (almost 2 months) and am thinking about putting 1 batch into the fridge for several weeks to see what happens....but don't really want to do it if there is a compelling reason not to.

Any thoughts/experience?

Re: Cold stratification after planting?
 

It is definitely something that you could try. They are from the Himalayas so areas that can and do get cold. There is no reason why this would do any harm. I am in fact trying it myself with a batch of seeds that haven't done anything at all - except I scarified these seeds also (I know I've said they go mouldy; and the batch that didn't go in the fridge did go mouldy, but we'll see about these.) Gibberilic acid and scarification didn't work either.

Re: Cold stratification after planting?
 

Yeah, it seems to make sense to me, but then I don't know what I don't know. I am going to give it a shot as well, what the heck, right. I was thinking fridge for 4 weeks or so? How are you doing it?

Thanks for the info and I am very interested to hear what happens with your experiment.

Re: Cold stratification after planting?
 

I think that sounds about right, I put mine in the fridge for about the same length of time.

I really must get hold of a UV light.

When I first joined this is the type of conversation that was had all the time, then it all went quiet. Glad to see someone else trying to solve the mysteries of the banana seed.

Re: Cold stratification after planting?
 

Thank you. What would you use the UV light for? Sterilizing seeds, or something else?

I am going to throw 2 batches into the fridge, one I scarified and one I did not, we'll see what happens. I checked a couple of the scarified seeds to see if they were moldy, didn't look like it, keeping my fingers crossed. I will keep you posted.

Cheers

Re: Cold stratification after planting?
 

Just an update on the above - It has been a month since I pulled my sikkimensis seeds, which were in the fridge for 4 weeks, out and put them back on the fluctuating heat. Nothing yet. Going to try increasing the temperature for awhile to see if that gives them some incentive.