Ontario Fruit Explorers

["Thomas Olenio" <tolenio@sentex.net>]

 

(I am sending this to OFEX a second time as the formatting was lost on the first posting and it ran off the page to the right.)

 

 

Hi Biz,

Margie sent me apple seeds (Antivoka) that had been

dried and stored in the fridge for 10 years and when I

 put them in damp peat moss in the fridge they sprouted.  

Germination rate was still in the 90% range after 10 

years.  I had the Cub Scouts then grow them out.

I do not know if this is scientifically true but I believe 

when a seed ripens it is loaded with a hormone that keeps 

it dormant.  Extended cold breaks down the hormone in the seed 

that keeps it dormant.  Then when the proper growing 

conditions arise (cool/damp like spring soil) the tap root 

emerges.

Soak you seeds in water overnight to fully rehydrate 

them and place them in a glass jar in the fridge with 

damp peat moss.  After 50-60 days start checking it 

daily to see if tap roots have emerged.  As each seed 

sends out a tap root, take that seed and plant it in soil 

and keep it on your window sill.  Plant it outside when 

temps are right.   Sometime in February is best to start 

this process so that you can almost avoid the window 

sill entirely.

If the seeds have died you have only lost a little peat moss.

Later,

Tom