Living and gardening in a sub-tropical region, I have never had the need to stratify seeds. However recently, I wanted to try to grow Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) from seeds. Anyone have any suggestions on how long to stratify them? Also, do you stratify them in soil, or just in the paper/plastic seed packet?
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I don't know if this experience will be helpful to you, as it was very much an experiment, but as it happens, I just germinated this recently! My first attempt at a conifer from seed.
I had a very few seeds, collected at the end of November. I was going to stratify them but actually after soaking in water for 24hrs I realised they had germinated already! I then sowed the germinated seed. That said, I am in Canada where temperatures are already low in November (can the seed be said to be stratified while it is still on the plant?! Or is this only once it has been dispersed. Do let me know!). Also in full disclosure the seedlings have not thrived, growth seems to have stalled completely (though they are still alive and seem to be in good health) but then again it has been midwinter :)
It was a fun thing to try, I was curious as to how readily the fresh seed would germinate, and I was pleasantly surprised.