How do I "nick" seeds.
 

Hi,

I recently bought some catnip seeds and the instructions say to nick the
seeds then soak them in hot water for 48 hours.

How do I nick them? They are very small seeds.

Also any general tips on growing catnip would be much appreciated (I'll be
growing them indoors)

Thanks

Thanks for any help

If they are large seeds it can be done wit a sharp gardening knife. I would
think that small ones could be rubbed between 2 sheets of medium grade
sandpaper.

S
"Ant" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I recently bought some catnip seeds and the instructions say to nick the
seeds then soak them in hot water for 48 hours.

How do I nick them? They are very small seeds.

Also any general tips on growing catnip would be much appreciated (I'll be
growing them indoors)

Thanks

Thanks for any help

"Noodle Doo" (spam) wrote in message
...
If they are large seeds it can be done wit a sharp gardening knife. I
would think that small ones could be rubbed between 2 sheets of medium
grade sandpaper.

Thanks, and how will I know when they are nicked enough?

Ant wrote:


Thanks, and how will I know when they are nicked enough?

They'll hold their hands up and shout "OK, Gov. I'ts a fair cop"

Jo
Who's been lurking for a couple od days but couldn't resist this one.

You don't it's a bit trial & error - providing you have broken the hard
shell enough to let the water in you have done the job.

S
"Ant" wrote in message
...
"Noodle Doo" (spam) wrote in message
...
If they are large seeds it can be done wit a sharp gardening knife. I
would think that small ones could be rubbed between 2 sheets of medium
grade sandpaper.

Thanks, and how will I know when they are nicked enough?

"Ant" wrote in message ...
"Noodle Doo" (spam) wrote in message
...
If they are large seeds it can be done wit a sharp gardening knife. I
would think that small ones could be rubbed between 2 sheets of medium
grade sandpaper.

Thanks, and how will I know when they are nicked enough?

I always wonder why we are told to do that...........it wouldn't happen in the
wild.
Anybody know why it's recommended?
Jenny

"Noodle Doo" (spam) wrote in message
...
You don't it's a bit trial & error - providing you have broken the hard
shell enough to let the water in you have done the job.


cheers!

I think it just speeds up the process by which moisture is allowed through to the seed so it can germinate. It would happen anyway (the hard seed coat would eventually soften or disintegrate by contact with moisture) but it could take months... or years. I started off two sets of canna seeds this year. The first batch I didn't chip - I just soaked them overnight. After 6 weeks, so far one of them has germinated. The other batch were started a couple of weeks ago, and I chipped these ones. Three have germinated already.