This is a little information about starting seeds in general. I usually start seeds in a couple of ways. I prefer Winter Sowing because it is super easy and I don't have to have plants in my home that my cats(felines not caterpillars Hahahaha) would potentially eat. I also start seeds in flats outdoors in spring.
Some perennial milkweeds as well as other perennials (native and non natives) benefit from cold moist stratification. This is a method of mimicking the winter weather that would naturally chill seeds that fall to the ground in the garden and nature. This freeze and thaw period stimulates germination. This mimicking can be done in the refrigerator.
So, How do you CMS?
You can read other sources on the net about stratifying but this is how I do it. There are a few ways to do this and there is also cold dry stratification.
CMS usually lasts 3 weeks to 6 months depending on the species. However most species will respond 4 weeks of time in the fridge.
The first thing you need is clean play sand or vermiculite. I like sand better because it is easier to see the seeds when it comes to sowing time. I usually use small zipper bags to save space but small containers can be recycled for this use too. Then you need seeds. Gather your own seeds, buy seeds or have a seed swap with your friends.
I gather my supplies before I start, so for me, that means furiously trying to clean all the seeds that I collected the fall before. I like to have all my seeds clean before I CMS or Winter Sow (more on that later)
Next, I take each bag (or container) and write the name of the plant on the bag and the day you are making the bag and putting it in the fridge. Then below that I write the day that the seeds will be coming out if the fridge in a few weeks. Make a note in your calendar.
After labeling the bags, fill each one with a small handful of damp sand and as many of the seeds as you want to grow. I always grow a few extras for friends and family and my sale.
Seal the bags, roll them into a little sausage shape and place in the fridge. I find it helpful to put them all in a container, so they don't get knocked around in the fridge or tossed in the trash accidentally. After the time in the fridge, I take the seeds out and let them warm up for 24 hours then sow. Who wants to put their hands into cold damp sand?
Now if you find yourself in April and you have not CMS any seeds or you have picked up some new seeds lately and need to do it, you can perform RAPID CMS.
Rapid Cold Moist Stratification: Do all of the same steps to prepare for CMS. The only difference is that for 7 days and nights you are alternating your seeds from the fridge to the freezer every night. Start in the fridge for 24 hours the freezer for 24 the fridge.....repeat for 7 days and nights. Take them out sow after 24 hours of warming. Easy Peasy.
You can sow your seeds in the house in tiny pots (I do not recommend peat pots, they dry out to quickly) under lights or in a bright warm window. Use new potting mix, no garden soil or soil from the ground to start seeds. If you put these trays outdoors at any point I recommend sprinkling Garlic powder on the soil surface to keep squirrels from digging in them.
Winter Sowing: Winter sowing is a method of starting seeds outdoors in the winter in containers, usually a plastic milk/ water jug. Instructions for winter sowing can be found online. Wintersown.org
Start your milkweed seeds and all other perennials, outdoors in January or February. The jug acts as a tiny greenhouse and your seeds should sprout by April. The advantage of this method is that the seeds are cold stratified and then sprout when they are ready. They harden off naturally without all the fuss. You can transplant the seedlings when they are 4-6” tall. I start my annuals in the beginning or middle of March. Vegetable seeds can also be started like this from March through April. ***The secret to Winter Sowing is watering the jugs when the sun is out during the winter and the day is warming up a little. These tiny greenhouses can and do heat up quite a bit on a sunny day above 30 degrees.
Some perennial milkweeds as well as other perennials (native and non natives) benefit from cold moist stratification. This is a method of mimicking the winter weather that would naturally chill seeds that fall to the ground in the garden and nature. This freeze and thaw period stimulates germination. This mimicking can be done in the refrigerator.
So, How do you CMS?
You can read other sources on the net about stratifying but this is how I do it. There are a few ways to do this and there is also cold dry stratification.
CMS usually lasts 3 weeks to 6 months depending on the species. However most species will respond 4 weeks of time in the fridge.
The first thing you need is clean play sand or vermiculite. I like sand better because it is easier to see the seeds when it comes to sowing time. I usually use small zipper bags to save space but small containers can be recycled for this use too. Then you need seeds. Gather your own seeds, buy seeds or have a seed swap with your friends.
I gather my supplies before I start, so for me, that means furiously trying to clean all the seeds that I collected the fall before. I like to have all my seeds clean before I CMS or Winter Sow (more on that later)
Next, I take each bag (or container) and write the name of the plant on the bag and the day you are making the bag and putting it in the fridge. Then below that I write the day that the seeds will be coming out if the fridge in a few weeks. Make a note in your calendar.
After labeling the bags, fill each one with a small handful of damp sand and as many of the seeds as you want to grow. I always grow a few extras for friends and family and my sale.
Seal the bags, roll them into a little sausage shape and place in the fridge. I find it helpful to put them all in a container, so they don't get knocked around in the fridge or tossed in the trash accidentally. After the time in the fridge, I take the seeds out and let them warm up for 24 hours then sow. Who wants to put their hands into cold damp sand?
Now if you find yourself in April and you have not CMS any seeds or you have picked up some new seeds lately and need to do it, you can perform RAPID CMS.
Rapid Cold Moist Stratification: Do all of the same steps to prepare for CMS. The only difference is that for 7 days and nights you are alternating your seeds from the fridge to the freezer every night. Start in the fridge for 24 hours the freezer for 24 the fridge.....repeat for 7 days and nights. Take them out sow after 24 hours of warming. Easy Peasy.
You can sow your seeds in the house in tiny pots (I do not recommend peat pots, they dry out to quickly) under lights or in a bright warm window. Use new potting mix, no garden soil or soil from the ground to start seeds. If you put these trays outdoors at any point I recommend sprinkling Garlic powder on the soil surface to keep squirrels from digging in them.
Winter Sowing: Winter sowing is a method of starting seeds outdoors in the winter in containers, usually a plastic milk/ water jug. Instructions for winter sowing can be found online. Wintersown.org
Start your milkweed seeds and all other perennials, outdoors in January or February. The jug acts as a tiny greenhouse and your seeds should sprout by April. The advantage of this method is that the seeds are cold stratified and then sprout when they are ready. They harden off naturally without all the fuss. You can transplant the seedlings when they are 4-6” tall. I start my annuals in the beginning or middle of March. Vegetable seeds can also be started like this from March through April. ***The secret to Winter Sowing is watering the jugs when the sun is out during the winter and the day is warming up a little. These tiny greenhouses can and do heat up quite a bit on a sunny day above 30 degrees.
