To sow or not to sow

The concept for this project is really simple.

10 different species of tree seeds, ranging from the huge giant sequoia to the small cotoneaster dielsiana were divided into two groups.

Both groups of seeds were soaked in sterile water for 48 hours. This is called the scarification phase and is aimed at cracking the outer seed shell to expose the seed-kernel to moisture.

After the seeds were scarified the two groups went into different treatment.

The first group was sown directly into damp seedtrays and then put in a dark place for germination. 

This approach directly skips the cold stratification phase, which all theory on tree seed germination is based upon so this project will put this theory to a test.

Every species of trees has, according to scientific experience, to be exposed for a cold period of variable length to trigger a chemical reaction that makes the seedkernel able to germinate.

This step is where all the magic of nature occurs. In nature, most of the seeds fall from the trees in autumn. Consequently, they spend the winter period under colder temperature permitting the chemical in the seeds to develop and trigger the germination process once the ideal temperature is reached in spring. In the forced germination process, you attempt to recreate the winter period. (source: mishobonsai.com)

What about the other half of seeds? Well, they will be treated exactly as according to scientific experience. First a 10 day warm stratification phase (22 grades Celsius) and then The Deno method will be followed, except for the paper towel to be replaced by Vermiculite, that has a good ability to keep moisture without keeping the seeds too wet.

The bags will be checked for germination every week. If the process has started the seeds in question will be sown into seed-trays and put into the same dark place as the first group. If not, they will stay at 2 Celsius degrees until something happens or the tree species cold stratification phase has ended. If no germination has occured by then, the seed bag will start the cycle over again. Warm Stratification for 10 days and so on.

Humans that can something and loves something are never boring

-Alexander L. Kielland


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