I thought somebody would mention it, but no one has (you're not reading the right magazine), so I will point out that the Spring 2005 issue of the Rock Garden Quarterly contains an article on smoke and germination, in which the author recommends using Liquid Smoke, a product available in the section of the supermarket where you get the Worcestershire and Tabasco sauces, to treat seeds. Jane McGary Northwestern Oregon Editor, NARGS At 11:02 AM 8/25/2005 -0700, you wrote: >Mary Sue wrote: > > >>I've never tried Rod Saunders' suggestion of putting a pot in a plastic >bag, starting a fire in a bee smoker and directing the smoke into the bag, >closing it up and leaving it for a day or so. I think it would be worth >trying. Has anyone done this? > >I have, kind of. I have a smoker in my backyard, sort of a glorified oil >barrel that I sometimes use for smoking meat. I decided it ought to work >great for seeds. Several times now I have loaded it up with flats of seeds >and smoked them for hours or overnight. > >The smoker is a *great* way to melt plastic pots and labels. But once you >learn to adjust the temperature properly, it leaves the labels intact and >makes the seed flats smell like a rack of really good pork ribs. > >Unfortunately, I haven't seen a dramatic difference in germination compared >to just putting the flats out in the rain in fall. I didn't do any >carefully controlled experiments, though, so I can't say for sure. > > >Jim asked: > > >>who indeed among us really grows South African heaths > >I do. Or, I should say that I try to. The seeds seem to germinate pretty >well, smoke or no smoke, but I have a terrible time getting them past about >2mm in height. They just stall out at that size and eventually die. > >I've tried cuttings numerous times but without any success. > >I have two plants that I purchased, now growing in the ground. One is >surviving okay, one is almost dead. They seem to be very particular about >sun exposure and soil. Growing them in pots seems to be a lot easier. > >This is off topic so I will shut up now. But if anyone wants to talk about >South African Erica culture, especially if you have any tips on making the >seedlings grow, please drop me a note privately. > >Mike >San Jose, CA (zone 9, min temp 20F) > >_______________________________________________ >pbs mailing list >pbs@lists.ibiblio.org >http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php