Seed stratification: when is it needed and what is its methodology. What is stratification and its types

Seed stratification is a rather important process that many have not heard of. But in this case, either a person is far from gardening everyday life, or he does it without even guessing about the term itself. In fact, this is the placement of seeds in "winter" conditions, but without throwing them into a snowdrift, but artificially providing cold and moisture.

Such an event will not negatively affect them, but on the contrary, germination will accelerate, and germination will increase. How to stratify seeds on your own to get an excellent result? First of all, it is worth knowing that each culture needs an individual approach.

Nature is smart and has taken care that the seeds low temperatures did not die, but calmly hibernated, giving shoots in the spring. However, this led to the fact that in some crops the seeds, without going through the "sleep of the embryo", will not give shoots. Therefore, they are not only not afraid of the cold, but also need low temperatures.

Our ancestors stimulated the growth of sowing material simply - they placed it between 2 layers of moistened earth and “thrown” it like that, without covering it with anything. Today, stratification of seeds at home is possible. To do this, the seeds are placed on a woven napkin or mixed with a mixture of wet sand and peat, everything is placed in a bag with a zipper and kept in the refrigerator.

It is worth taking care of suitable humidity, it should be moderate, otherwise the seed will either germinate faster than necessary or become covered with mold fungi.

For most trees, shrubs and herbaceous perennial crops, stratification is mandatory, especially when it comes to northern areas. The ideal temperature is from 1 to 3 degrees, and the duration of the event is different for different cultures. For example, barberry will take from 2.5 to 3 months, cherry - from 150 to six months, and lemongrass seeds - 3-4 months.

Stratification of strawberries and strawberries

The seeds of these common crops are suitable for a quick procedure: during sowing, a 2-centimeter snow layer is placed on top of the soil, and strawberry or strawberry seeds are laid out on it using a thin wet stick (a regular toothpick will do), and then they are not covered with anything.

The containers are placed on the lower shelves of the refrigerator for two to three days - this time is enough for the snow to melt and pull the seeds into the soil to the required depth. After this period, the containers with strawberries are removed and placed on the windowsill. Now they should be covered using glass or a transparent film.

There is another stratification option suitable for strawberry and strawberry seeds - the warm method. The seeds are placed on a moistened paper towel, another one is placed on top, and then they are carefully twisted into a roll. After it is placed in a bag of polyethylene, tied in such a way that there is little air access, and kept warm for 24 hours.

Shock for Lavender Seeds

Stratification of lavender seeds is also necessary so that they wake up and begin to germinate, otherwise you should not even expect good germination. To do this, two months before planting, the seed must be placed in a damp cloth (gauze folded in several layers is suitable) and thus kept under conditions room temperature a couple of days.

After the seed material is placed in a bag and sent to the top shelf of the refrigerator. In this position, they should remain until landing. You can also improve the quality of germination by placing the seeds in dissolved succinic acid or the "Epin" agent.

Primrose Seed Procedure

This plant also needs to imitate natural conditions, and you can carry out the procedure at home using a refrigerator. Before the stratification of primrose seeds begins, it is recommended to hold them in a solution of potassium permanganate, for this they are laid out in a liquid for a couple of minutes, and then soaked in water for a day. This is a great way to disinfect.

When the seeds swell, they are sown in small containers filled with earth, or peat pots. We must not forget that the larger the seeds, the deeper they are placed, but the smallest specimens are sprinkled quite a bit. To keep moisture, the containers can be covered with foil.

After planting and placing the seeds in the refrigerator, it is worth making sure that the soil does not dry out, since even with short-term dehydration, the seeds may die. Another popular stratification method, using a sponge, is also suitable for primrose seeds, as some varieties of this plant have rather tiny seeds, which makes it difficult to sow.

An incision is made on the sponge with longitudinal grooves, into which the seed is placed. Then the sponge is placed on a plate or tray, moistened with water. The humidity level should be maintained throughout the entire period of stratification and further germination. For small seeds, it is better to take a finely porous sponge.

Stratification for aquilegia seeds

Aquilegia or catchment can often be found on garden plots. This unpretentious plant With pretty flowers, it will undoubtedly become a decoration of the site. And the stratification of aquilegia seeds is carried out as follows: under the influence of heat or cold.

As in the case of primrose, the seeds should be pre-treated with a solution of potassium permanganate, which will disinfect the material for the upcoming sowing. With the cold method, the seeds are placed in a container with a moistened base and placed in a refrigerator for 30 days. It is considered ideal temperature regime within 5-7 degrees.

During the thermal procedure, the seeds, “packed” in the same way, keep the same amount of time, but already at a high temperature - 32-35 degrees.

Shock for Clemitis

This amazing plant used to decorate fences and various buildings, as it literally covers the surface with a beautiful floral carpet. Most often, large clematis seeds are sown before winter, immediately after harvest. But this method is not suitable for all plant varieties, since it will take a very long time for their germination (up to 500 days). Therefore, it is recommended to carry out stratification, and postpone sowing until spring.

The procedure for large seed material is carried out as follows: they should be kept for 3 months at a temperature of 5 degrees - in the refrigerator, or placed in a snowdrift on the street. But it is worth knowing that if they are left in the yard, they can fall into the paws of rodents.

Medium-sized seeds are stratified for about 1 month: first they are soaked for two days in water, which is changed every 2-3 hours. This is followed by a sparging procedure where the seeds are placed in water which is oxygenated by an aquarium compressor.

As for small seeds, it is enough to place them in water for a day before planting, and then proceed to sowing.

Stratification of delphinium seeds

For this plant, a wet method is suitable, in which the seeds are laid out on a damp cloth, covered with another layer and a roll is constructed from them. Then they are covered with wet moss, placed in a suitable container and placed in the refrigerator for 7 days.

After this time, it is necessary to assess the condition of the seeds - they should be swollen. But if some of them gave small sprouts, then they need to be sown, and the rest should be placed in a colder place. The fact is that whitish sprouts are capable of breaking off during planting and then you should not wait for seedlings.

Rose seed stratification

The seeds of one of the most luxurious flowers also needs "shock therapy". To do this, they are taken out of the fruit and immediately placed in a sieve for disinfection, a 20-minute rinse in hydrogen peroxide begins.

Then they are laid on a base that can retain moisture for a long time - cloth napkins, cotton pads, etc. It should also be moistened with hydrogen peroxide. The same wet material is placed on top, and everything is neatly rolled up. Seeds are stored in this way for 2 months on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. But they will require periodic ventilation and wetting of the material.

Seed stratification is a procedure that provides seeds with the necessary conditions, which “starts” the germination mechanism and improves sowing results.

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 being 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 high humidity and 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 also a necessary requirement.

Some plants need phased stratification: first warm, then cold.

Fundamental rules

Every novice 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 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, which have bactericidal properties and suppress the development of various kinds of rot, is practiced. The ratio of seeds and substrate is one to three, respectively.

Some gardeners are smart and put the seeds on a damp cloth or cloth placed in a small box. Perfectly suited for this task are two pieces of foam rubber moistened with water, between which the grains 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 system. central heating. It is important to remember to create labels indicating where and which seeds are located. For this purpose, an adhesive tape, a corner cut off from the foam rubber, or so on, is suitable. 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.

The 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. The 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

seed material of some vegetable crops so deep physiological rest is characteristic that germination occurs only in rare cases. An example of this is katran, 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. The material is 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 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 stressful conditions

In order for the seeds to germinate better, preparation for sowing involves the use of the scalding method 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. Volume calculation hot water produced in a ratio of 1:2 (seeds:water). After that, the seeds are left for a day in this state so that they swell.

Creating Contrasting Conditions for Seeds

In order for germination to be optimal, the preparation of seeds for sowing involves treatment with water of various 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 a hot and cold water for thirty seconds. The duration of the procedure is ten to fifteen minutes. In conclusion, the bag of seeds 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 snowing method helps to better present flower seeds. The seed container is buried in the snow one to four months before 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 upper snow layer, it is covered with hay, board, cloth, and so on.

the day before 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. The water changes daily.

How to grow clematis

Fashion trends have introduced charming flowering vines into the gardens of flower growers. 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. is placed in a container filled with a special soil mixture, the basis of which is equal parts of elements such 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 sowing from external influence animals using a fine mesh or plain transparent glass. Subject to the above recommendations, friendly shoots can be achieved in 10-20 days.

How to grow grapes from seed

Some believe 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 select disease-resistant varieties. Bones are taken only from well-ripened berries. More fast shoots helps to achieve stratification of grape seeds. It includes a thorough washing of 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 start 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.

The method of increasing seed germination copied from nature is called artificial stratification. Its use at home is quite easy. All you need is a fridge and some free time. As a result, 100% seed germination can be achieved. This will help to reduce the cost of purchasing seeds, to preserve favorite and rare varieties.

• Show all

  natural stratification

  Many hundreds of years ago, when there was not even a written language, not to mention scientific developments and recommendations, people were able to grow the plants necessary for their life no worse than today's graduates. Knowledge of the practical methods of growing a particular plant occurred in people by observing nature and imitating it.

  A person has only to look at the chain from the formation of a seed to its germination in natural conditions.

  

  Process in nature

  Seeds have ripened on your favorite flowers, amazing fruits have been collected or rare seeds of exclusive plants have been purchased and there is a desire to propagate them, and, possibly, organize your own business in growing seedlings.

  Then you should start with a general understanding of how seeds are stored for the most best germination at the right time.

  Autumn, beautiful apples ripened. It was still warm enough, and the birds were pecking at the apples and scattering the seeds into different places. Many of the seeds fell into fertile soil for seedlings, and the seeds are full of vigor and ready to germinate. But the information embedded by nature in the genes of the seed tells him that this is not the time for germination, the temperature will drop, the sprout will not have time to gain strength and will die. Inhibitor genes block growth and give the rest command.

  When the external conditions for the growth of seedlings are favorable, an unblocking command will come in and the sprout will begin to break through and gain strength. But this will happen with the beginning of a new natural cycle - in the spring.

  And the seed will spend the cold under the snow cover, which will provide it with a minimum, but plus, temperature and a sufficient amount of nutrient moisture. Scientists called this process natural stratification.

  

  

  Seed preparation

  Having collected the seeds, a person must create similar natural conditions their storage, eliminating the risks of natural anomalous phenomena, and this will be called artificial stratification. Important milestone- preparation of seeds for stratification.

  This process refers to the following procedures in order of execution:

  • disinfection-exposure of seeds in solution (1 gram of potassium permanganate per glass of water) for 30 minutes;
  • washing in clean warm water after disinfection,
  • cleaning from any tissues, the seed coat cannot be broken;
  • soaking in cold non-chlorinated water for up to 12 hours;
  • drying is a prerequisite for rotting.

  Any soil suitable for this type of plant is suitable for storing seeds during the stratification period, even without special preparation. But there is a risk that such a substrate is infected, so it is better not to risk it and disinfect the soil.

  With small volumes, it is enough to place the soil and the oven, heated to 120 degrees for one hour or turned on for a maximum microwave for 10 minutes.

  As soil suitable sand, peat, vermiculite and their mixtures in various options. The ratio of seeds and soil is usually taken at a ratio of 1:3.

  Purchased soils and mixtures of additional disinfection do not need to be subjected.

  

  cold stratification

  Before widespread in the life of refrigerators, glaciers, cellars, snowdrifts were used for stratification. Now everyone has refrigerators, and glaciers and cellars are in short supply.

  Modern household appliance it will completely allow maintaining the required temperature throughout the entire period of stratification, and it is stable and guaranteed. Inspecting the seeds and maintaining the desired moisture will not be any particular problem.

  The start date of stratification is counted from planting the plant in the ground or seedlings. If it is planned to plant honeysuckle in pots on March 10, with a stratification period of 60 days, it is necessary to put honeysuckle in the refrigerator on January 10.

  Table. Terms of stratification for seeds of woody and shrubby ornamental plants.

  Group	Name of breeds	Terms of stratification	Notes or special conditions
  1	Cotoneaster, hawthorn, hornbeam, ash, viburnum	12 - 18 months	Picking unripe fruits to speed up stratification
  2	Cherries, euonymus, linden, wild roses, nuts, plum, hazel, sucker, snowberry, clematis, derens	6 - 8 months	They have time to prepare for germination only if they are bookmarked for stratification immediately after collecting seeds
  3	Maples, currants, barberries, elderberries, honeysuckle, mountain ash, bird cherry, some apple trees	15 – 25 weeks
  4	Apple tree, pear, Norway maple and sycamore, common honeysuckle, privet	60 – 100 days
  5	Actinidia, maples, ash, lilacs	40 – 45 days
  6	Conifers: spruce, fir, larch, pine, arborvitae	20 – 30 days	Able to germinate without stratification, but it is used to accelerate germination and increase germination

  

  At home, the stratification of plants takes place at a temperature of 0 to 5 degrees Celsius, which is quite realistic in a household refrigerator. After preparing the seeds for the cooling process, they are placed together with the prepared substrate in various types of packaging, from boxes and various small containers to bags and fabric bags. Small seeds of flowers or raspberries, strawberries can be laid for stratification without soil. It is enough to place them in an even layer on a damp soft tissue, roll into a tube, secure it with a thread and put it in the refrigerator.

  The type of container is not critical and must meet only two requirements: so that the seeds can be looked at for mold and increase their moisture content in case of drying.

  How long to keep flower seeds in the refrigerator?

  Table. Terms of stratification of flower crops.

  Name	15	20	30	40	60	80 or more days
  Astrantia			+
  verbena	+
  violas	+
  Vatochnik		+
  Wulfenius					+
  geranium		+
  dodecadeon		+
  Dicentres	+
  Delphinium	+
  Bathing suits		+
  lilies				+
  Flaxseeds		+
  daylilies						+
  Lychnis	+
  Luke			+
  Lavender			+
  Mylnyanka						+
  Hellebore			+
  mimulus		+
  Primrose			+
  grouse		+
  Felicia					+
  Sharovnitsy		+

Hello, dear friends of gardeners!

In the previous article, the main ones were considered, but the method seed stratification requires more detailed consideration, since novice gardeners vaguely imagine holding this technique at home and on the Internet there is very little reliable information on this issue written in an accessible language.

Require stratification mainly seeds of ornamental crops, trees and shrubs. The method of seed stratification consists in exposing them to low temperatures in conditions close to natural in winter, in order to eliminate the effect of growth blockers and inhibitors contained in them and thus, to bring them out of dormancy. That is, for the seeds to be stratified, we create an “artificial winter”, which, according to the conditions, is close to the real one for the culture in its homeland.

From the above definition, it becomes clear that some seeds, plants of which grow naturally in a temperate and warm climate, are unable to germinate when stored at home. And we, acquiring such seeds, should know whether they are ready for sowing? Such information should be included on the seed packaging. Usually, only information is indicated whether the seeds require stratification, and the mode of its implementation remains a mystery to us. Therefore, we must be prepared for such a situation. Most ornamental crops need cold stratification, and if you have no other information, then it is better to store them for 3-4 months at a temperature of 0 to +3 degrees.

Based on the foregoing, it is easy to explain the situation when, having acquired the seeds of some ornamental crops, we immediately sow them, but we do not get seedlings and scold “careless sellers” for this. And these seeds, it turns out, require appropriate preparation before sowing in order to bring them out of dormancy. Often such seeds die, but it happens that they sprout the next year.

If you plan sowing in advance, then it is better for seeds to be stratified before winter, and then the seeds in natural conditions will go through a cooling stage. But in our climatic conditions, not for all cultures is acceptable winter sowing. Apricot seeds that require stratification must pass it at low positive temperatures, and such conditions in winter middle lane does not happen at all. And there are plenty of cultures that need such conditions. In a word, for each plant species, its own mode of stratification is recommended.

The technique of cold stratification, which literally means "layering", has been practiced for a long time. To carry out this technique, wet sand, moss, peat, cotton wool are used as a layer and stored in a refrigerator, trenches or basements in winter.

Seed stratification happens: warm, cold and combined. The latter species is used for plant seeds that are difficult to germinate by exposing them to variable temperatures, placing them in a moist substrate. These include the seeds of some ornamental trees and shrubs.

It is conditionally possible to divide the seeds into three groups:

• Subject to cold stratification.
• Subject to warm or combined stratification.
• not subject to stratification.

Cold stratification is required for seeds of plants growing in temperate climates, where there are always winters (often warm). Before sowing seeds temperate climate you need to bring them out of dormancy by soaking them and placing them for a period of 1 to 4 months in cold storage at a temperature of 0 +4 degrees. Ornamental crops grown in our gardens, for the most part, belong to this group.

Need cold stratification: eryngium, blue cyanosis, pulsatilla, primrose, peony, hellebore, buttercup, lavender, bluebell, clematis, delphinium, buzulnik, asparagus, fruit pome crops and many others. The seeds of some crops are able to germinate without stratification, but their germination will be very low. For seeds of sea buckthorn, honeysuckle, strawberries, stratification is not required, but if they are kept at a low temperature for a month, germination increases significantly, and plants develop faster.

Plants that are native to the subtropics, where there is practically no pronounced winter, need warm stratification. After soaking, they are kept for 1-2 months at a temperature of 14-18 degrees.

The last group includes most vegetable crops that do not need seed stratification. These cultures originate from the southern regions of the planet and the tropical zone, where there are never low temperatures in winter. The dormancy period for the seeds of this group is minimal or absent at all, and a standard one is needed for their sowing.

Carrying out cold stratification of seeds

• We select the recommended substrate. As it can be used vermiculite, river sand, cotton wool and other mineral substrate. For better air exchange and seed disinfection, it is advisable to add sphagnum moss. You can use the ready-made peat mixture for flowers, after sifting it and adding sand, as well as disinfecting it with a warm, strong solution of potassium permanganate.

• We moisten the substrate by taking four times less water by volume. We give excess moisture to drain, compacting and placing the substrate on a fine mesh.
• We disinfect seeds using a solution of potassium permanganate or fungicides that are designed for this. See how to do it right.
• We fill the plastic containers in layers with the prepared substrate and seeds (4: 1). If the seeds are very small, it is better to scatter them evenly over the surface of the substrate, sprinkle with sand and moisten using a sprayer. This will allow you to grow small seeds in the same container before picking. Close the containers from drying out with a lid.
• In order for the seeds to swell, we leave the filled containers at room temperature for two days.
• Then we put the containers in the refrigerator, where the temperature should be maintained from +1 to +6 degrees. For a small group of seeds, freezing is required: aconite, aquilegia, primrose, hellebore, eleutherococcus, tree peony, most species of the Rutaceae family and some others. These seeds are placed in the freezer.
• In order to provide the seeds with good air access during the stratification process and to exclude compaction of the substrate, the containers are periodically shaken and turned over. Once every five days, the seeds are removed from the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes and, after opening the lid, they ventilate, remove the condensate, mold that has formed and wipe the container with a solution of potassium permanganate.
• Stratified seeds (if they have not hatched yet) can be treated with growth stimulants before sowing, as recommended in.

The duration of cold stratification is from one to six months.

• From a month to a month and a half, the stratification of anemones, hosts, gentian, physostegia, columbine, aconite, lilac, bird cherry lasts.

• From two to three months, the stratification of astrantia, multi-flowered rose, cotoneaster, honeysuckle, chaenomeles, viburnum, Thunberg barberry, felt cherry continues.
• Four or more months you need to stratify the seeds of the prince, mahonia, almonds, lemongrass.

Seeds with a long period of stratification will not be harmed by a longer stay in cool conditions, since they will begin to germinate only in favorable conditions.

Sincerely, Sergey Mozgovykh

When it comes to the results of labor on an agricultural plot or garden, the phrase “battle for the harvest” will be quite appropriate in this context.

Not only a phrase, but also ways of fighting akin to the military . How can one not recall the basic concepts from the theory of military art. Indeed, in order to achieve a strategic goal in the garden, as soon as we are talking about it, various tactics and specific forms and methods are also used.

Outstanding talent, skills and knowledge will be very, very handy here.

In the same line with them is stratification. Agree, there is something in this word, consonant with military terms.

What is stratification and why is it needed?

Nature does not tolerate repetition, endowing each plant with exclusive properties. For one to wake up from winter dormancy, the warm earth and the warm spring sun are enough. Others need to be helped and prompted, imitating the natural change of seasons - without such a procedure, seedlings will be sluggish and uneven.

In the natural environment, natural stratification is much easier. A ripe seed for the winter is immersed in a state of rest - the embryo sleeps. During this time, under the influence of frost and moisture, the hard shell softens, cracks appear on it.

In spring, a cold and damp environment motivates the awakening of the embryo and its craving for warmth and the sun. This is manifested in active and stormy shoots.

But what about at home?

After all, often the seed is harvested in the fall and stored at home in a warm room or bought in specialized stores. And there they do not do specific pre-sowing preparation.

This is exactly what artificial thermal effects are used for. A kind of simulation at home of the winter transition as a trigger for the plant. Properly stratifying seeds means what it means to create conditions for high similarity and a generous harvest.

Video from an expert on seed stratification at home:

Timing of stratification for different crops

Perennial flowers and herbs, as well as stone fruit, vegetable and seed plants, need mandatory support.

Not every species needs such a procedure. For example, oregano, marjoram, rosemary, sage or thyme cope on their own.

You need to understand that each culture has its own period of thermal preparation, failing to withstand or violating which, you can not only not get the desired effect, but also ruin a living green organism.

Require stratification and mandatory stress treatment onion and leeks, carrots, parsley, parsnips, celery, scorzonera (also called sweet root), black carrots, Spanish goat.

Tomatoes, radishes, lettuce can do without stratification when growing from seeds. But by applying it, you can already feel the real benefits from green shoots.

If you plan to plant seeds of conifers - pine, fir, spruce, larch, then stratification will also help a lot (although some gardeners believe that it is not necessary). It is required to soak the seeds in thawed ice water and keep in the refrigerator for 2-3 days - this will significantly increase germination.

Types of plant stratification

It would seem that this procedure is simple, but it has several varieties.

By the timing of the stratification happens:

• autumn;
• winter;
• spring.

Four ways to conduct it divided the event into the following types:

• cold;
• warm;
• combined;
• stepped.

Cold

This type of seedbed preparation is used for seeds of perennial crops. It is acceptable for regions with clearly graduated seasons. This definition includes regions with a temperate climate.

During cold stratification, the following conditions are created for the seeds:

• air temperature – from zero to +5°C;
• humidity from 60 to 75%;
• the duration of cold treatment can be from one month to six months.

Crops to be cold processed: pome fruits, stone fruits, perennial flowers.

Warm

Preparatory pre-sowing activities carried out according to the “thermal algorithm” are the simplest procedures that do not require special skills.

Future plants that are still in a dormant state are placed in conditions where they quickly awaken - a temperature of 17 to 22 degrees with a humidity of at least 70%.

Experienced gardeners advise - a similar start is recommended for vegetable crops: tomato, eggplant, cucumbers, various peppers.

To speed up the "pecking", the material is placed on a sunny windowsill or under bright light, laying the seeds on damp cotton wool or a napkin,

After the appearance of sprouts, a slightly grown young culture is ready for planting in the ground. It can be a peat pot or a glass with fertile soil. If the weather conditions allow - the temperature of the air and the earth, then they can also be placed on a prepared garden bed.

Combined

The combined method is a rather labor-intensive procedure designed for seeds that germinate for a long time and are covered with a hard shell.

This applies to almost all perennial shrubs and trees such as viburnum, yew, plum, apricot, hawthorn, snowberry.

For example, viburnum and hawthorn need a particularly long combined stratification. It can last from six to eight months.

To wake up, the seed is first placed for four months in a comfortable environment, where the air temperature is up to 25 ° C and humidity up to 75%. And then in conditions where the air warms up no higher than + 5 ° C.

Each type of green crops needs an individual approach:

1. The yew has a different stratification calendar: the warm period lasts up to 1.5, and the cold period lasts up to 3–4 months.
2. Lemongrass is buried in wet sand, where at a temperature of 18 to 28 ° C it stays for up to 30 days. After this period, it should remain in a cool container for the same amount of time, where the air does not exceed +5°C.
3. Planting gentian seeds should be placed on a damp cloth or in a plastic bag with soaked hydrogel. There it should be twenty days at + 20 ° C. Then the seed needs a half-month exposure to cold - no higher than + 4 ° C.
4. will sprout better if its seeds, placed between moistened napkins or cotton pads, will stay for half a month in the refrigerator. And then, without reducing the humidity, until the sprouts appear, they will be placed on the windowsill above the battery.

stepped

In terms of complexity and time costs, this is the most time-consuming preplanting process. It consists of alternating "turning on" a cold and a warm cycle.

But do not forget that each flower, however, like any natural individual, including animals and humans, needs an exclusive approach.

This is especially true for proper stratification.

Ways to stratify seeds at home

For better germination of their favorite crops, flower growers, using generally recognized techniques, add their know-how, generously sharing their experience with colleagues.

The most "run-in" methods include the following types:

• dry;
• in cabbage stalks;
• wet;
• winter sowing.

Dry

This is the easiest and least time consuming way.

It consists of two stages:

1. Preparatory. This is where planting material is disinfected. It can be carried out using a half-percent solution of potassium permanganate. Future green crops are soaked in it for thirty minutes. Then drying and, if necessary, packaging. Do not forget to sign the generated containers or packages. This is the case when it comes to big species diversity seed fund.
2. The direct effect of temperature. It can also be done in different ways. In the refrigerator, maintaining the desired temperature conditions - no higher than + 4 ° C. Or outdoors, in an open area, burying a container in a snowdrift before the spring thaw. If, of course, climatic conditions allow.

At the same time, the timing of stone fruit stratification, as well as the implementation algorithm, differ not only in weather conditions, but also on the type and variety of planted crops.

In cabbage stalks

Confirming the proverb - "the Kazan woman is cunning, and the Ryazan woman is more cunning", resourceful gardeners came up with a very peculiar way of auxiliary training. We are talking about embedding planting material in cabbage stumps.

By the way, it is not only original, but also very effective method, which does not require much effort from the performer.

All that is needed for this is to separate the stalk from the cabbage, cut out the core from it and place the seed there. Close the hole with a stopper made from the same stump.

It will not be superfluous to mark the place of digging with a stick with a tag so as not to get confused in the spring.

With the advent of days favorable for planting, the stump is dug out, and the saved seeds are planted in the garden.

Wet

This is a somewhat laborious, but extremely necessary procedure for individual crops, for example, such as, ash, Walnut, maple, euonymus and others.

Here, too, craftsmen use several tricks:

1. Sanding. Substrate containers are being prepared. It can be river sand (preferably washed), old sawdust, moss or peat. Seeds, like soil, must be dried and disinfected. Next, the substrate is moistened and two-thirds of the containers are filled with it. Seeds are laid on top and covered with soil. To prevent the formation of fungal spores, the ground is slightly impregnated with one of the biofungicides. It can be Trichodermin, Fitosporin or Alirin-B. If the containers are not large and they have a place on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator, then this Better conditions for storage. The main thing is that the air is not higher than + 4 ° C. At the entire stage of storage, the conditions of detention are monitored. If necessary, the soil is moistened.
2. Heat treatment in fabric rolls. Pieces up to 35 cm long and 10 cm wide are cut out of natural fabric. Wet moss or cotton wool is laid out on them, on top of which seeds are laid. Rolls are formed, which are tied and lowered into the water for greater impregnation. The roll or rolls, if necessary, are signed and folded into a plastic bag. After that, they need to be placed in the refrigerator, on the vegetable shelf down. There they will be in the cold (+ 4 ° C), until the onset of favorable landing conditions. If a fungus is detected during monitoring, then preventive procedures The tissue is removed and replaced with fresh tissue.

Podzimny sowing

This is the easiest way to thermally prepare for friendly spring shoots. All planting material is placed in the ground in the fall. There he goes through a natural stratification. This method is suitable for winter garlic, various greens, individual varieties of salads.

This is far from complete list exclusive ways of stratification. If one of them is correctly and skillfully applied, then already in the spring on personal plot, flowerbed and garden will see the wonderful results of the work of the owners.