With perennial seed you will find that in most cases the requirements for success can require different steps when compared to those of annuals as we discussed in seed germination.
Probably you will only be germinating one or two small packets of perennial seed per variety at a time and therefore we suggest that you sow your seeds in flats rather than directly in your flower bed.
We are not saying that you can’t be successful by direct sowing but what is being stated is that you will have a higher percentage of viable transplants if you consider using the following instructions.
Purchase seeds several months ahead of when you plan to germinate them.
Check the growing instructions for special requirements such as stratification, scarification and if the variety favors the presence of light or darkness in order to trigger germination.
Stratification procedures usually involve cold treating seed in your refrigerator for a prescribed period of time. As a head grower and production manager I used to place all of my perennial seed in the freezer for a period of six weeks with good results.
Scarification if required has to do with softening or breaking the hard outer seed coat on some varieties. Depending on the species you may be instructed to place sand paper around the inside edge of a coffee can, drop in the seed and then shake vigorously for a pre determined period of time. Or sometimes just a simple soaking in water overnight will do the trick. While other seeds may need to be soaked in an acid bath or using a pocket knife on large seed to scratch down and hopefully just barely through the seed coat.
Now that you have completed the above steps if in fact they were required at all it is now time to purchase the supplies that you will need.
Purchase plastic flats from any garden supply retailer.
Procure a quality germination soilless media from a local greenhouse business. Many greenhouse operations routinely germinate thousands if not millions of seeds annually and have long since developed the ideal media to use for germination.
Fill your flats up to their tops with media and using a very fine mist sprayer water thoroughly.
At this point the media should be moist from top to bottom. This is important so check and see if you have accomplished this step and if not then apply more moisture. After a little experience you will develop a feeling for the required timing in order to saturate a flat filled with germination mixture.
Now take a board that you have sized to fit inside the flat and gently push down to firm the mix. The key is to use firm but gentle pressure to accomplish this procedure.
You can now make rows inside the flat or simply sow on the medias surface.
Having already checked and knowing if the variety is a light or dark germinator you are either going to cover the seeds to the prescribed depth in the case of a dark specie or in the case of one that requires light you will then leave the seeds uncovered.
The following trick will cut down on watering and will eliminate blowing seed out of the flat which sometimes occurs if high pressure is used. You should also purchase a seedling mist head so this problem never comes up. But here is the trick that we referred to on seeds that require dark place the flat in a black plastic bag and for the ones that need light use clear plastic. Do not place flats covered with plastic in direct sun as the temperature will rise too high and completely retard germination. The use of plastic as a cover cuts way down on the need to apply additional moisture and in many cases your seedlings will be up and growing before you will need to water again.
After germination of the perennial seed takes place be sure to remove the plastic covering and move the flat into an area that receives a little more light. Still not placing the seedlings in full sun is good advice.
At this time I like to apply a good well balanced liquid fertilizer which aids in proper plant development.
After your seedlings have grown their first set of true leaves you will want to plant them into three or four inch pots and grow them on for a while.
When sufficient size for a particular variety has been achieved you will now be able to transplant them into your flower bed.
Most of all and the best advise that we can give you is to just simply have fun.
