Hot water and tree seeds

soulweaver · 3rd February 2011, 07:15 PM

Hi, I am trying to work something out that I am reading in a book, and I think I have answered my own question but I thought I would post it up and get your thoughts. Below is how it appears exactly in the book.

Chinese Elm
Soak seeds in boiling hot water 12-24 hrs then 30-60 day cold stratification

the 30-60 day cold stratification is easy, i am going to use my fridge for that part. But for the hot water part do I have to keep the water hot for that long? or does it just have to start hot? Because I am thinking that 12-24hrs in hot water might cook the seed?

Any guidance would be great has it is doing my head in.

And yes I am a bonzai grower

but I grow from cuttings and bought trees, I am just starting to explore the world of seeds.

thanks

jmcg.insight.gardens · 3rd February 2011, 08:18 PM

Hi Soul weaver

hope the following helps

Quote:

Hot Water Treatment
Seed that has a hard seed coat-induced dormancy requires a scarification to break down the seed coat so that the seed may germinate or begin its stratification process. A hard seed coat induced dormancy means the seed coat is too hard to allow water to enter. By stopping the entry of water, the seed coat stops the seed from germinating or being able to start any required moist stratification period.
One method to scarify many seeds is the hot water treatment, which is as follows: Pour (4 times the volume of seed) almost boiling water over the seed and allow the seed to cool for 12-24 hours. Seed that is properly scarified will sink or swell depending on the type of seed. Robinia pseudoacacia will swell when scarified, while Acer palmatum will sink after proper hot water treatment scarification. The floating seed may be separated to repeat the process for those seeds (if any) which are not properly scarified yet. Seed not properly scarified may take several years to germinate in an outside seed bed. Non-scarified, hard seed coat seeds planted in a flat may never germinate at all or only at very low percentages.
Be careful with any hot water you handle. Use only disposable containers and not something you eat or drink out of. Do not use boiling water.
As always use the proper combination of common sense and care when working with seed or seed treatments.

Quote:

Cold Stratification: 34-41 Degrees F. Warm Stratification: 68-86 Degrees F.

http://bit.ly/gL2gXd

3rd February 2011, 07:15 PM	#1
soulweaver I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: in a house Posts: 1	Hot water and tree seeds Hi, I am trying to work something out that I am reading in a book, and I think I have answered my own question but I thought I would post it up and get your thoughts. Below is how it appears exactly in the book. Chinese Elm Soak seeds in boiling hot water 12-24 hrs then 30-60 day cold stratification the 30-60 day cold stratification is easy, i am going to use my fridge for that part. But for the hot water part do I have to keep the water hot for that long? or does it just have to start hot? Because I am thinking that 12-24hrs in hot water might cook the seed? Any guidance would be great has it is doing my head in. And yes I am a bonzai grower but I grow from cuttings and bought trees, I am just starting to explore the world of seeds. thanks

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