Stratification of lavender seeds at home

Stratifying lavender at home is an effective way to significantly increase seed germination. To do this, they are placed in a humid environment and stored in the refrigerator for 1-1.5 months.

What is stratification and why is it needed?

Stratification (hardening) is a special preparation of seeds for spring planting. The essence of the procedure is storing seeds in certain conditions (usually cold). In nature, grains spill out of the fruit and fall into the soil, after which they are covered with snow. The temperature gradually drops, and in spring, on the contrary, the air and earth warm up. Thanks to this, the grain “understands” that it needs to start growing.

At home, the seeds of some plants can be stored without hardening (for example, tomatoes, cucumbers). In other cases, stratification should be combined (either warm or cold conditions are created alternately). And in the case of lavender, it is correct to do cold stratification. To do this, the seeds are packaged and stored in a regular refrigerator at a temperature of +3 to +6 °C.

Deadlines

The procedure does not begin immediately, but 30-40 days before growing the seedlings.You need to focus on the fact that after hardening, they immediately begin sowing seedlings. Since this is usually done at the beginning of March, the hardening procedure can begin as early as the end of January. The specific period is determined depending on the climatic conditions of the region.

Methods for stratifying lavender seeds in the refrigerator

Hardening is carried out in a conventional refrigerator. In this case, the grains are laid out on available material, moistened and placed in an airtight container to maintain a constant level of humidity.

How to stratify lavender seeds on cotton pads

One of the simple and effective ways of stratification is to put the seeds on cotton pads, which can be purchased at any pharmacy. The instructions are:

1. Take a cotton pad and divide it in half so that you get 2 layers - top and bottom.
2. Carefully pour the grains onto the base and cover.
3. Place on a plate and moisten with water - the most convenient way to do this is with a spray bottle.
4. Place in a pre-prepared bag or small jar.
5. Leave on the counter overnight at room temperature.
6. Then put it in the refrigerator.
7. Periodically it is necessary to ensure that the disc does not dry out. Therefore, the bags must be airtight. And if the cotton wool dries out, it needs to be moistened again.

It is convenient to stratify lavender using a regular dishwashing sponge.

How to properly stratify lavender seeds in sawdust

In this case, you need to take clean sawdust, the volume of which is 10 times greater than the volume of seeds. The sequence of actions is as follows:

1. The sawdust is doused with boiling water.
2. Cool and squeeze out excess water.
3. Mix with seeds.
4. Place in a jar or plastic bottle and keep for three days at room temperature.
5. Place in the refrigerator and store for 30-40 days.

Stratification of lavender in sand in the refrigerator

In this case, proceed as follows:

1. The grains are mixed with a large volume of sand.
2. Abundantly moisturize.
3. Place in a container and cover with film or a lid.
4. Leave for a day at room temperature and then place in the refrigerator.

Advice from professionals

Overall, hardening lavender is very simple. The main thing is to monitor the tightness of the container and the normal level of humidity. Experienced gardeners recommend taking into account several nuances:

1. You need to stratify lavender seeds in the refrigerator on the shelf that is closer to the freezer (that’s where the air is a little colder). The optimal storage temperature is from +3 to +5 degrees.
2. When storing in sawdust, it is recommended to stir them periodically.
3. It is convenient to stratify lavender seeds in agroperlite. It can be used either alone or mixed with sand. The sequence of actions is the same.
4. If not only lavender, but also other seeds are hardened, it is better to put labels on the bags or jars with the following inscriptions: type, date of planting, quantity (if necessary).
5. To increase the germination of lavender, after hardening the grains can be kept in “Epin” or a solution of succinic acid.

Perlite retains moisture well, so it is also used for stratification.

Conclusion

Stratification of lavender at home is carried out in different ways, and all of them are very accessible. The shelf life is no more than 1.5 months. It is important to ensure that the sponge, sawdust or sand remains damp.

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