We encourage members to collect seed from their own gardens, but then what?
Propagation is the process of creating new plants. Starting native plants by seed takes some attention to detail and patience.
In order for a seed to grow into a plant, it needs to germinate.
What is Germination?
Germination is the process by which a plant grows from a seed into a seedling. Seeds remain dormant until conditions are favorable for germination. All seeds need water, oxygen and optimal temperature to germinate. When a seed is exposed to the proper conditions, water and oxygen are taken in through the seed coat.
The “proper conditions” that each species needs are different.
Knowing the proper conditions that each type of seed needs helps you to know:
1) when you need to get your seeds outside so that they can have their best chance at germinating naturally. Seeds which are sown outdoors in the fall do not require stratification pre-treatment
OR
2) what conditions you need to replicate if you are going to stratify the seeds indoors
What is stratification?
Stratification is a process of pre-treating seeds in order to simulate natural conditions that seeds would experience in the soil over-winter. Pre-treating seeds helps the seed “break dormancy” and initiate the germination process. Stratification pre-treatments are applied when the seed is being propagated in a greenhouse setting or in a way/schedule that is not aligned with the natural germination cycle.
The Prairie Moon Nursery website and the Prairie Nursery website each have good explanations of seed stratification methods
How do you find the right stratification method for your seed species?
First, look for locally compiled information:
Shaw Nature Reserve Propagation Guide is a good example
Then, if you’re not able to find the information you’re looking for, try looking up the species on the Prairie Moon website and look on the planting tab for the germination code or download the Prairie Moon Cultural Guide spreadsheet.
Prairie Nursery has stratification info for a limited list of seeds
You might try The RNGR Propagation Protocol Database but be forewarned that it is a lot of information to search through and absorb
What if you find conflicting information?
You may find conflicting information on what method a given species needs to germinate. Our advice? Try some of both and see which one works for you.
Want to learn more?
Shaw Nature Reserve offers “Native Plant School: Greenhouse Propagation of Native Plants”, as part of Native Plant School, usually in the winter. The class fills up very quickly! so pay attention to when the new classes are opening up so that you can get a spot on the first day of registration.
Wild Ones St. Louis Chapter is a proud sponsor of Native Plant School
