How do I know if a seed needs to be scarification, stratification or both

How do I know if a seed needs to be scarification, stratification or both (post #16256)

eellkk on Thu, 02/04/2010 - 12:19

General Gardening

I just got the "Starting from Seed" magazine. WOW! What a source of info. Now I need to figure out which seed needs which jump start (if any). Any ideas? I have many seeds to start soaking asap. Is there a general of thumb on this subject of chilling and chipping of seed?

Take your time and make a (post #16256, reply #1 of 4)

by Astrid in reply to eellkk [original] on Thu, 02/04/2010 - 16:27

Take your time and make a list of your seeds and when they are in season to germinate - on the back of seed packets there is very good advice on planting depths and times for planting.

Once you have that organized, you will need to figure if you want to plant seeds directly in a garden and let them thrive as they may, or if you will grow out seedlings in growing beds and wait to transplant them when they are mature enough to be replanted.

I use inexpensive typing paper for listing seeds.

New Mexico home organic gardener Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience. Emerson

Generally, I've had to (post #16256, reply #2 of 4)

by czella in reply to eellkk [original] on Thu, 02/04/2010 - 19:46

Generally, I've had to scarify larger seeds with very smooth hard outer shells.......... flamboyant and sapodilla being 2 that are stubborn without roughing up a bit. I use a file or sandpaper on 1 flat surface.
Stratification I have never done.

Some seeds have evolved with (post #16256, reply #3 of 4)

by KimmI in reply to eellkk [original] on Fri, 02/05/2010 - 05:01

Some seeds have evolved with such a hard, protective seed coat that they need scarification and stratification so moisture can get into the seed so it will germinate. Others simply need to be soaked in water for a day or two for that to happen. If the seed needs special handling, ie. scarification, that should be noted on the seed packet and most of the seed suppliers do that before shipping seeds today.
Most everything I find about this involves how to do it with very few listing any seeds that may need the process. Perhaps Fine gardening could make such a list available once again.

The sign of a good gardener is brown knees, not a green thumb.

The U.K. seed company (post #16256, reply #4 of 4)

by Noel-in-England in reply to KimmI [original] on Fri, 02/12/2010 - 10:43

The U.K. seed company "Thompson & Morgan" have a FREE little book which lists each species seed/time/temperature requirements

How do I know if a seed needs to be scarification, stratification or both