On 1/23/12 12:38 AM, Farm1 wrote:
"Ray" wrote in message
...
Using advice I found on the Internet, I placed several apple seeds in a
damp paper towel and stored them in the refrigerator for a couple of
months.

They still haven't sprouted, but I see no evidence of rot or mold.

Can I expect them to sprout when I put them in the ground in the spring?

It's certainly possible and more so if you kept them moist.

I put some Auricaria bidwilii seeds in a plastic container and stuck it in
the fredge and promptly forgot them for months. When I took them out they
had already started to sprout. I did the same thing with acorns but buried
them in potting mix before putting them in the fridge and they too had
started to sprout - I got either 17 or 19 scarlet or red oaks and one
different oak out of that lot. These being bigger things would be more
likley to sprout than apple seeds, but if you kept them moist then I'd say
they'd probably still sprout - you'll only know for sure if you plant the
seeds and care for them.

Chilling in a refrigerator works only for seeds of plants whose native
regions experience significant winter chill. It might harm seeds of
plants native to my climate (see my signature below).

Among such oaks as Quercus lobata and Q. agrifolia -- both native to
California -- no chilling is needed. Several times, I have successfully
grown Q. lobata from acorns without any chill. See
http://www.rossde.com/garden/garden_oak_acorn.html.

--
David E. Ross
Climate: California Mediterranean, see
http://www.rossde.com/garden/climate.html
Gardening diary at http://www.rossde.com/garden/diary