In message
ps.com
harry wrote:

On Nov 20, 12:08*pm, Michael Bell wrote:
In message
* * * * * Stewart Robert Hinsley wrote:





In message , Michael
Bell writes
I am growing alder seeds (specially selected from wild populations,
and quite a bit bigger) in wetted compost under lights. I pressed the
seeds in in their sides, they are too small for my big fingers to push
end -down. I have covered them with cling film and droplets of water
have condensed on the underside of the clingfilm. Temperature is about
25 C

After 2 days some of the seeds have white fungus around them. I
understand that this can be a normal part of the germination process.
But just to be on the safe side I have taken the clingfilm off for a
few hours to kill the fungus off by drying it out, the seeds haven't
sprouted yet - it has only been 2 days.

Am I doing right? Any helpful hints?

Michael Bell

You should have researched this prior to attempting propagation by seed.
For example
* * *http://www.jstor.org/pss/3565103
Try combinations of the keywords propagation germination stratification
alder Alnus.

I had been following

http://forestry.oxfordjournals.org/c.../82/5/573.full

which got results storing the seeds at 4 C, and I kept mine in the
lower compartment of my fridge, which I think is near enough. It makes
no mention of what it grew the seeds ON.

The one you quote chilled the seeds to - 20 C, (but these are FINNISH
seeds) and says that once germinated, seeds survive better on mineral
soil than on compost. Yes, I had too lazily assumed that "compost is
best for everything".

I wonder if the most productive way forward would be to germinate the
seeds on wetted towelling and transplant them onto soil by hand?

I have spent a lot of time getting these seeds and I am willing to do
that extra work.

Michael Bell

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Lots of seeds from temperate plants need to be subjected to low
temperatures for a while
before they will germinate. But then they will need to come to a
higher temperature
for actual germination. You need to get all this information before
you start.
It simulates Winter and Spring.
Also

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarification_(botany)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seed_dormancy

I had stored the seeds in the chiller part of the fridge for at least
a fortnight, so I am not sure that pre-chilling is a problem. The
reason I am starting them off under light now is that I want them to
grow to a stem diameter of 3 mm by may so that I can graft them onto
fruting spurs then. The next year's cones and catkins form in June.

Michael Bell

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