Extract "For Beginners" from
the notebook of R. Buckle on growing P.
auricula seed published in the 1964
yearbook.
"The best
plan I believe is to sow the seed right
away; seed sown in August as soon as ripe
is best - it is also Nature's way. Some
people pop the seed into the
refrigerator: this is a form of
stratifying, it makes difficult seed
easier to germinate. The resulting
seedlings from these August sowings
should not be moved from their seed pots.
They would not have time to become really
established before the cold winter
weather comes along. A far better plan is
to leave the seedlings in their pots
until March the following year.
To be
successful,c ertain precautions must be
taken to ensure the safety of the small
seedlings during the winter. The pots in
which the seed is sown should be well
crocked (have broken clay pot pieces at
the bottom of the pot as drainage) to the
depth of about two inches; large pieces
of crock over te hoiles , then smaller
pieces, broken soft red brick and lumps
of charcoal. These should be covered with
roughage, dried braken (ferns) or moss.
The loam
(soil) should be sterilized before it is
made up into the compost, the reason for
this being that the seedleings wil have
to remain in the pots for at least seven
months. Unsterilized soil would
definitely develop a little damping off
(rotting) here and there with the loss of
a few valuable seedlings. Space the seed
out well when sowing; the more room they
ahve the better will be the results...
...Care must
be taken in watering during the months of
September and October; after this period
they will need little or no water until
February. It just depends on the existing
conditions.
Always rap
(knock the sides of) the pots as a guide
and those that need water stand in some
receptacle large enough to hold the pot
comfortably and allow the water to reach
almost half-way up the pot. Never water
the seedlings from the top...
...By the end
of March all over wintered seedlings
should have been transplanted into boxes.
I like to use fish boxes...these boxes
will hold about fifty (50) young
seedlings....By late June these seedlings
will be ready for another move; as this
is the final move a stronger compost will
be needed and this time give the plants
more room. Allow about two dozen (24) to
a box. Good drainage is most vital at all
times during the life of the plants;
stagnant water is worse than the plague!
From the time
the seed is sown until the seedlings are
moved, the pots should remain in the
greenhouse or (cold) frame with the
lights (covers) on. Once the seedlings
are transferred to the boxes, their new
quarters may be a frame with the lights
(covers) off to give all the air
possible. But as soon as October
approaches the lights should go on again.
...Seedlings
handled thus will be no trouble and will
raise no problems. I am sure you will be
pleased with the results."
