Stratifying Perennial Seeds. 1.26.22

 There is conflicting information about whether some perennial seeds require stratification.  The seed packets don't state it.  Some references state that Coreopsis and Echinacea require stratification.  That means the seeds need a "winter" before they will germinate.  In the past, I've done that with apple seeds, peach, plum, daylily, milkweed seeds.  I'm not sure if I did for Echinacea.   Rudbeckia supposedly requires stratification, but mine (annual Rudbeckia hirta) grew like crazy without a cold treatment.  Maybe the seed supplier pre-stratified the seeds, or maybe the annual ones don't require stratification, I don't know.

It's easy.  For these, thoroughly moisten a paper towel.  Scatter the seeds on the moist paper towel, fold it, place into zipper lock sandwich bag, and seal.  Refrigerate for a month, then plant the seeds.

These will be ready to plant about March 1.

s need stratification.  To stratify, they need to be chilled in moist conditions.  That's how I germinated apple, peach, plum, daylily, milkweed seedlings in the past.  Some instructions state stratification is necessary for Rudbeckias and Echinaceas, and others either don't mention it or state it isn't needed.  The seed packets don't always mention it.  

Even though the first Rudbeckias germinated like crazy without stratification (annual Rudbeckia hirta), I'm not certain the others will.  So I moistened some paper towels, scattered seeds on them, folded, placed in sandwich ziplock bags, and placed in fridge.  They'll be there for a month, then I'll plant them.

A Nice Yeast Bread Loaf. 1.26.22

I haven't been making sourdoughs for a while and the culture died. I decided to try a yeast pizza crust using the refrigerator method - flour, water, yeast, salt. Nothing else.  Mix, knead, put into bowl, let rise to double, cover and refrigerate. Can use any time in two weeks, and has better flavor and texture after several days to a week.  The chilling makes the dough more workable and holds in fermentation bubbles for a nice texture.  I made a batch, then thought I'd make a second batch for a loaf of bread, but refrigerate in loaf pan. Otherwise the same recipe.  After taking Rufus for a walk, it was already completely risen so I sprinkled on bagel seed topping and baked 375 for 45 min. This had a great texture and flavor. Even though the topping is just sprinkled on, the flavor is present in the bread slices.

This reminded me of why I always made my own bread. It doesn't keep as long as store bought but is so good, it is used up before molds have a chance to spoil it.

An Orchid Flower.

Last summer, I divided this cymbinium and repotted it. Then it didn't get much care. Nice flowerto cheer up the winter days.

MaltoMeal Muffins. 1.25.22

My mom used to make these many years ago. They were my favorite breakfast muffin. These are made using Malto Meal hit cereal and the usual other muffin stuff (flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, oil, egg, milk). The recipe is on the box.

I like to use cast iron and preheat the pan. That gives a crispier muffin bottom and sides. This tasted exactly like I remembered, and brought back memories of being in the kitchen with my mom.

Tabasco Pepper Seedlings. 1.25.22

This is a sign I've been watching seed packs entirely too close. Here are two, barely visible, tiny, Tabasco seedlings beginning to emerge.

It took them two weeks, which isn't bad. I was spoiled by the zesty Jalapeño seeds that took off running so quickly. Maybe they sensed I was discoraged by their slowness :-) I did plant new ones yesterday, along with new Thai Dragon seeds. By the way, just while planting the Thai Dragon seeds I could taste and smell the hotness. That never happened before. Now it's a matter of normal seedling care. They'll stay on the seedling warming mat another week or two, to see if other seeds germinate.