Seeds Sown

[ralphrmartin]

Don't try it unless you have some experience of handling such chemicals!

I'd emphasise Terry's warning. Mixing concentrated acid with water generates lots of heat, and if you do it wrong, you can splash boiling acid in your face, etc. Be absolutely sure you know what you are doing if you are going to try this.

[el48tel]

Don't try it unless you have some experience of handling such chemicals!

I'd emphasise Terry's warning. Mixing concentrated acid with water generates lots of heat, and if you do it wrong, you can splash boiling acid in your face, etc. Be absolutely sure you know what you are doing if you are going to try this.

Think one should give warning to folk thinking about attempting this process - disposal of the acid after using it also presents a hazard to the environment as well as the person

[Mal L]

I concur with all the above comments about safety. Having worked with concentrated sulphuric acid in laboratories I would honestly not advise obtaining, storing and handling this acid in a domestic context. Yes, it may indeed work, but it is not worth the potential risks just for the sake of increasing the germination rate of a few difficult (but not impossible) seeds.

[el48tel]

In various other places on the Web, I've seen reference to enzymes, peroxide, potassium manganate(VII) and the like to degrade the seed outer; as well as fine glasspaper. Excuse my ignorance and my question, but in vivo, how does Mother Nature do it?

[Terry S.]

The alpine enthusiasts use freeze/thaw cycles to aid seed germination of many species and this might be what is happening in the wild with pediocacti and sclerocacti, it can get quite cold in their habitats. Something else to consider is that there might be symbiotic fungal flora which could aid in germination. The other factor is perhaps they have adapted to only a few seeds germinating during any particular wet event. That way there is a seed bank in the ground that could germinate over subsequent years to help make survival more certain.

When we cultivate plants we are always using quite artificial systems and we want 100% germination of seeds within two weeks!

[peter831shaw]

The concentrated sulphuric acid trick has been shown to work for some of the fynbos mesembs such as Saphesia flaccida, which is otherwise very reluctant to germinate. Don't try it unless you have some experience of handling such chemicals!

You also might try smoke. There are lots of references using smoke infused paper for plants from the fynbos. A friend used liquid smoke (cooking smoke) with good success.

Another option is GA3. Naturally occurring GA3 in seeds are what start the germination process, though the only issue I would have is the seedlings will have extra GA3 and will stretch.

[Terry S.]

The acronym reference in the above post is to gibberellins, which are naturally-occurring plant hormones with a variety of effects including regulation of germination. I do not remember seeing much work being reported on their uses with succulent plants, so do any Forumites have any direct experience with using gibberellins on our favourite plants or their seeds?

[ragamala]

I tried GA3 with Sclerocactus seed - a few species - last year. Some seed I tried chipping, some water or weak acid soaking and some with GA3 treatment. With a couple of mixes of chipping or not combined with GA3.

The GA3 results were no different from results of other treatment. On the other hand, the results were pretty much zero in all cases, so I blamed myself more than the GA3. However, I shan't be trying it again.

[peter831shaw]

Well, the warm weather prompted me to get out and sow my seeds this weekend. There's about 160 packets gone in, and only one pot tipped all over the floor in my excitement...

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That is a really impressive set up you have. Is the top hinged or the top and sides? Love the bench tops as well!

Peter

[ralphrmartin]

Just the top fronts hinge. They are Hotbox propagators, and were supplied by HOK, the company that built my greenhouse (and who own Hotbox). The lids needed a bit of fixing (1) to replace pop-studs with rivets, and (2) to weight down the fronts to stop the plastic curling. They also supplied the benching; they bought in the flood trays from Denmark if my memory is correct.