Strawberry seed germination - Ask Extension
With the stay at home directive, I decided to purchase and plant strawberries from seed. I planted them in small peat cups then found some references...
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Strawberry seed germination #650819
Asked June 14, 2020, 2:43 PM EDT
With the stay at home directive, I decided to purchase and plant strawberries from seed. I planted them in small peat cups then found some references that talk about the need to have them at freezing temperatures for 2-4 weeks or longer in order for them to be able to germinate. Not all references mention this and there was disagreement as to whether they should be placed in the refrigerator or the freezer for the stratification. And some references recommend 90 days of cold temperature prior to planting. So, my questions: Is the cold necessary (my variety is Honeoye); if yes then how long and where (frig or freezer); and would it be a problem to freeze the little peat cups that I planted the seeds in or should they be separate from the dirt?
Washington County Minnesota
Expert Response
The references I checked do not list what varieties require freezing but rather reference IF they do to do it in the freezer for 2-3 weeks. I would suggest contacting the source you purchased the seeds from to inquire specifically about the variety you purchased. For future reference strawberry plants and roots can also be purchased through mail order.
