Plum milkvetch and Prairie Turnip

[canadamike]

I would try giberellic acid on the seeds hard to erminate. JL HUdson talks a lot about it, but it is expensive for that. Here is a cheap source:

www.rarexoticseeds.com/Acid_Gibberellic_Powder_GA3_Poudre_Acide_Gibberellique_Smoke_Seed_Primer.html

And buy by the gram if you are interested, it is hard to make a precise mix with a larger size.... it works with old seeds too, apparently

[utopiate]

Sorry didn't get back to this post for a while. Yes I got some GA3 and will try that. Been experimenting with it on other seeds and tubers just lately. Havn't got to the Psoralea with it, but I just put some of them in cold stratification.

[utopiate]

Buffalo plum, A. crissicarpus, as described by Meriwether Lewis above the mouth of the Osage river:

"It is a growth of the high dry open prairies, rises to the height of eighteen inches or two feet, puts forth many stems from the same root."

He described how the Indians frequently used this plant to allay their thirst, and how at this time in early June the pods were unripe and "about the size of a pullets egg... the seed are like pees...the pulp is crisp & clear" tasting much like a "gardin pee.... fine red colour and sweet flavor."

This doesn't sound bad on a hot day out on the plains with nothing much else to eat but Buffalo meat. I might try growing this. There are quite a few species in that genus around me here. I think it might like the climate.

[utopiate]

Just a note on the recently received Prairie Moon seeds of Prairie turnip, Psoralea esculenta. Tested a few overnight in GA3 1,000 ppm. They were nicked with an exacto knife, and had swelled up overnight in the solution. Rinsed and put in warm cupboard on damp paper towel in ziploc bag. Now two or three days later I am getting sprouting. I am not sure if the used GA3 concentration was about right or excessive. Other seeds are in cold moist stratification.

[ottawagardener]

Are you direct seeding in the spring? I have some seeds also from Prairie Moon and I do believe they are cold stratifying though not in moisture. Is that recommended?

Thanks.

[utopiate]

Well i was thinking of growing plantlets in ponies then transplanting ourdoors later. The mice and gophers here eat a lot direct seeded stuff. If I have a lot of germination success I may direct seed some. I think most of the cold stratifying seeds in nature are usually in the moist state in soil under the snow, from fall precip, and later snow-melt. If I was you I would mix them with moist media for cold stratification.