"Harry Haller" wrote in message
news
Hello,

Can you tell me what I'm doing that is so wrong, and how to do it
right?

Last year I tried to grow Sassafras seeds with no success. This year I
will try again!?! I followed the instructions on the seed packet
approximately.
[snip long description of efforts so far]

Googling for "Sassafras + seed + propagation" finds quite a bit
that sounds basically similar to your information, e.g.:

http://www.pfaf.org/leaflets/sassafra.php :
"Propagation is fairly simple from seed. If you can obtain it, fresh
seed will give the best results and this should be sown immediately
in a cold frame. It should germinate in the spring. If you can only
obtain stored seed then this will need four months cold stratification
at 4°c. Soaking the seed for 24 hours in warm water and then mixing it
with some damp compost and placing it in the salad compartment of the
fridge for 3-4 months should suffice. As soon as they are large enough
to handle, prick out the seedlings into individual pots and grow them
on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter before planting
them out. Give the young trees some protection for at least their
first winter outdoors[K].

Suckers can be dug up in late winter. If they are well-rooted they
can be planted straight out into their permanent positions but if the
root system is rather sparse it is best to pot them up and place them
in a lightly shaded place in the greenhouse until they are growing
away strongly. In addition root cuttings can be taken from the suckers.
These cuttings should be about 1 - 2cm long, they are taken in December
and planted horizontally in pots in a greenhouse. Grow them on for
their first winter in the greenhouse before planting them out into
their permanent positions".

http://www.foodreference.com/html/artsassafras2.html
says much the same as the above.

http://tomclothier.hort.net/page10.html :
"Sassafras albidum , Sassafras ,zone= 4 , sow 4m @ 39ºF, move to
70ºF for germ."


http://www.nativeplantnetwork.org/ne...otocol_id=1993 :
"Propagation Method: Seed
Product Type: Container (plug)
Propagule Processing: Seeds exhibit physiological dormancy.
Pre-Planting Treatments: Seeds are cold stratified for 120 days
and germinate at 30/20 C."
[gives refs]

Hope that this helps.

cheers