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#1
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Why some seeds need low temp store to aid germination
Hi,
I am getting some Chinese Jujube seeds in a packet from a seed retailer. The instruction for planting the seeds is to store the seeds first in a fridge around 5C for 60 - 90 days in order to aid germination. Why? How-Hie Ling |
#2
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Why some seeds need low temp store to aid germination
Certain seeds such as this one needs the period of dormancy in the cold.
Basically what happens in nature is that this seed is shed in late summer and early autumn. The seed then has to have a period of dormancy because in natural conditions if the seedling was to rise it would do so in horrible cold conditions and most likely not survive. So what this does is stimulate the same response. After the 60-90 days the seed "thinks" (i use this term very loosely) "oh, I've had my 3 months of winter I think Ill be able to germinate now"... and thus germination is stimulated The process of placing the seeds in cold conditions is termed "stratification" Hope this helps David How-Hie Ling wrote in : Hi, I am getting some Chinese Jujube seeds in a packet from a seed retailer. The instruction for planting the seeds is to store the seeds first in a fridge around 5C for 60 - 90 days in order to aid germination. Why? How-Hie Ling |
#3
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Why some seeds need low temp store to aid germination
"How-Hie Ling" wrote in message
... Hi, I am getting some Chinese Jujube seeds in a packet from a seed retailer. The instruction for planting the seeds is to store the seeds first in a fridge around 5C for 60 - 90 days in order to aid germination. Why? How-Hie Ling I don't know the Chinese Jujube plant, but the need for the low temp is probably due to the fact that where this plant naturally comes from is a cold place, and it's all part of the plants way to reproduce. In nature, the seeds may drop, then the cold weather (Winter) will trigger the seed dormancy, and as Spring comes around it will germinate. Similar with the need for keeping Tulip bulbs cool before planting if you live in a warm climate. Also similar is the need for fire or smoke to trigger some Australian native seeds out of dormancy, or to open their casing. Bushfires are part of nature here so as it rages through, the seed will open and smoke will cause a chemical reaction to bring it out of dormancy, then it will germinate. The parent plant may die, but it's natures way of avoiding extinction. There are also other others that need to be triggered by water, (soaking), sacarafying (outer case of the seed must be damaged, even rubbed on sandpaper), and I think even by the passiing through a bird, the stomach acid breaking down the protective coating. Good luck -- Remove "not" from start of email address to reply |
#4
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Why some seeds need low temp store to aid germination
Also similar is the need for fire or smoke to trigger some Australian native
seeds out of dormancy, or to open their casing. Bushfires are part of nature here so as it rages through, the seed will open and smoke will cause a chemical reaction to bring it out of dormancy, then it will germinate. wow! that's amazing! pat (obviously not residing in australia) |
#5
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Why some seeds need low temp store to aid germination
In article , Andrew G wrote:
Also similar is the need for fire or smoke to trigger some Australian native seeds out of dormancy, or to open their casing. Bushfires are part of nature here so as it rages through, the seed will open and smoke will cause a chemical reaction to bring it out of dormancy, then it will germinate. Even still, you can simulate the effect with smoky water. The parent plant may die, but it's natures way of avoiding extinction. Note likely since most eucalypt trees have a lignotuber just below the ground. For an interesting read see: http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~don/australian_trees.htm http://www.ffp.csiro.au/nfm/mdp/bbproj/eucalypt.htm -- Jeremy Lunn Melbourne, Australia Homepage: http://www.austux.net/ http://www.jabber.org/ - the next generation of Instant Messaging. |
#6
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Why some seeds need low temp store to aid germination
To go even further from the original thread:
Certain seeds only need smoke to trigger germination, certain seeds only need fire and there are some that need both. I worked in a nursery where this was sometimes confused. Because a plant responds to smoke doesnt neccessarily mean it will respond to fire (ie sometimes to stimulate this you use boiling water). Usually fire is used to crack a hard seed coat so water can be absorbed, while the smoke is used to stimulate the germination process. David Also similar is the need for fire or smoke to trigger some Australian native seeds out of dormancy, or to open their casing. Bushfires are part of nature here so as it rages through, the seed will open and smoke will cause a chemical reaction to bring it out of dormancy, then it will germinate. Even still, you can simulate the effect with smoky water. Note likely since most eucalypt trees have a lignotuber just below the ground. |
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