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Post by mrsage on Oct 24, 2014 11:25:43 GMT -5
Hey I heard that nicking Rubus spp. seeds works to help them germinate faster. I haven't cold stratified them (don't think it's all that necessary so I've heard). I've come across some Rubus seeds of a wide variety and have tried filing down some of the seed coat with a nail file to expose the center (hopefuly not damaging it) they are currently soaking in bottled water right now. I also have a batch that I didn't nick that's soaking right now too. Will they germinate or is there a better way? Should I have not filed that one batch down to where the seedcoat ends? I'm not new to gardening but new to growing and germinating Rubus spp. Any help would be MUCH obliged. Thank you all  |
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Post by flowerweaver on Oct 24, 2014 15:07:42 GMT -5
I have not tried scarifying Rubus, but other techniques I have used to scarify other seeds is to rub them between sheets of sand paper, or freezing them overnight then pouring boiling water over them. The latter works very well on bluebonnets (lupines) which have a very tough seed coat.
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Post by mrsage on Oct 27, 2014 12:32:12 GMT -5
Yeah, my filed seed coat ones don't seem to be doing much YET (I hope)... the rest of them I think I'm going to overwinter outside in containers to cold stratify, hopefully they come up in the summer. Especially the rarer seeds of the bunch. Thanks Flower  . |
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Post by flowerweaver on Oct 27, 2014 17:01:28 GMT -5
I don't have much of a winter down here, so if I don't do the freeze/boiling water trick on the bluebonnets they might not come up for 2-4 years. I also get a 95% germination rate, which makes for a nice wildflower display rather than a spotty one. Just have to make sure they germinate and get some roots before the first frost (they are winter annuals) so I don't kill all my seeds off.
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Post by mrsage on Oct 27, 2014 19:22:44 GMT -5
I'm definitely going to try the freeze/boiled water trick on afew to see if it's any effective with these seeds, it should weaken the seedcoat evenly enough. I've heard that removal of the endocarp/seedcoat will get em growing quick without cold stratification but I'm yet to see it happen, it's also hard to do without damaging the embryo. I'm documenting my results and will post em when the time comes, should be around the 30 day mark.
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Post by flowerweaver on Oct 27, 2014 19:55:41 GMT -5
Just to be clear, I put the seed in a sieve and pour the boiling water over them, I don't let them set in it so it's rather quick and brief heating. If I don't get the seeds planted right away they will inevitably start sprouting within a couple days!
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Post by mrsage on Oct 29, 2014 20:16:39 GMT -5
Alright, good thing I didn't do it yet. I'll put some in the freezer for an hour or 2 (overnight might be overkill but I will leave some overnight for science  ) and pour boiling water over them while in a fine sieve. After that I will place them in a covered cup of bottled water at room temp and see what happens... a couple of days sounds mighty fine to me. Keeping fingers and toes crossed for this one.  |
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Post by templeton on Nov 23, 2014 22:41:29 GMT -5
I presume you have tried just sowing them untreated? Blackberries grow like wildfire in the bush here - but then they have mosdt likely passed through a bird's or fox's gut...
Sylvanberry germinated just fine for me after collecting shriveled fruit off the canes. If you want some sylvanberry seed let me know -they are fruiting this week.
T
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) and pour boiling water over them while in a fine sieve. After that I will place them in a covered cup of bottled water at room temp and see what happens... a couple of days sounds mighty fine to me. 
