When and where is ok to sow seeds?

[C_Skinner]

Hi all. I recieved 3 different types of VFT seed last weekend. I have 5 of each. I was wondering when is a good time to sow them and where to propagate them? is in my terrarium a good place? Thanks

Chris

[Zongyi_yang]

well, if you stratify them over the winter, they should be ready to sow before spring. if you have already stratified and got a place indoors to grow them in, you could sow them now. i would wait till spring as you can grow them outside. on, and i dont know about the 'types' of vft seeds. only the typical form can be grown from seeds. if your growing clones or cultivators from seed, they can only be classified as a typical vft. Zongyi

[vic brown]

I have sown VFT seed fresh, within days of it being harvested in Summer, and in the following Spring, after storing dry at about 4C. Fresh seed germinates quite rapidly, within about 2 weeks. Stored seed sown in March took about 8 weeks to germinate, and didn't do so until temperatures were quite warm (more than 20C day, 12C night). Stratification isn't necessary in order to germinate VFT seeds.

Unless you can provide extra warmth and light, mid-winter is probably not the best time to germinate VFTs though, I would wait until Spring and speed the process up with the use of a propagator if you want.

Vic

[Trev]

Sow it fresh or as soon as possible, they dont keep well, no statification is needed. Sow on sphagnum peat moss and keep covered untill a few weeks after germination.

Trev.

[Graham]

Hi Chris

Earlier this year i sowed some of last years seed and had around 50% germination, so it's not absolutely necessary to sow it now, but if you do you should get 80 or 90% germinate, which is better

As long as your terrarium is well lit it should be fine for your VFT seedlings. No stratification is necessary, indoors you can expect the seed to germinate in 3 weeks. If you sow now you have the advantage of being able to give the plants a decent length first growing season (putting them outside next year when the danger of frost is gone).

If you haven't sown VFT seed before it needs to be surface sown (not buried), i normally press it into the compost to ensure good contact with the surface which keeps moisture around the seed.

[vic brown]

I didn't notice any significant change in viability between seed sown freshly in summer and that stored well for 6 months in the fridge at 4C (stored dry and airtight). It just took longer to germinate, but I attribute this to lower temperatures in spring.

D. Schnell (2002) notes 'Germination rate decreases markedly when seed is stored at room temperature and approaches zero by one hundred days (Roberts and Oosting, 1958). However, I have found that storing dry seed in a sealed glass vial in the refridgerator maintains high levels of viability for at least five years'.

Providing your seed has been stored well since harvest, and continues to be stored well, it should be fine to sow next spring. If you are in any doubt, sow it now.

Vic

[brad]

The question beginning this thread has already been answered very well, but I will add another good quote from Don Schnell that applies to this thread:

A general rule of thumb as stated by renowned CP author Donald Schnell is “seeds that mature in spring or very early summer are ready for immediate sowing and will germinate promptly. Seeds that ripen in the fall must usually undergo a period of damp cold treatment called stratification.”

The former applies to Dionaea as the seeds in nature will be mature and dispersed beginning the first days of summer. Therefore Dionaea is ready to sow immediately if you choose, and stratification is not necessary.

Being a summer germinating plant tells much about the requirements it appreciates. Good light with long daylength, and warmth which accelerates germination and growth of the seedling.

If one chooses to sow in late fall or winter, you will most likely need to artificially provide the light and warmth necessary for optimum seedling growth. Using a shoplight with 4 foot 40 watt florescent cool white bulbs set at 16 hours daylength has always worked very well for me.

Take care,

Brad

Ventura California

[alexa]

To add my two pence worth, you don't need to sreatify VFT seed. You can sow them now, and as they don't need to go dormant for the first couple of years they will be fine in the terrarium. Bring them out into the greenhouse in the spring.

Regards

Alex