Indian Hawthorn Seeds

I picked my seeds from two bushes today, but after doing so I wondered if I should have waited longer. I still have one bush I haven't touched. The seeds (I think they are seeds) are black, but still a bit pulpy. I don't know if they are suppose to be hard or what. If I let the ones I pick dry out, will they still be viable, or will I have to test them? We've had several frosts now. Anything else I need to inform you of? This is my first season of seed collecting so I'm a newbie at this.

Frausnow

The seeds are inside the pulp. I just spent several days soaking and cleaning tree/shrub trees preping them for stratification.

I did parsley-leaf hawthorne so I'm assuming your indian hawthorne will look the same but then you know what assuming does.*S*

I soak the seeds in warm water overnight or 24 hrs to loosen pulp a bit, then using my thumb(nails)I smoosh the seeds out. They're small and I'm darn near blind even with my glasses on so I rely on feeling for them. Apx. 1/8th inch long and half as wide,light brown...kinda looks like a fat comma.

PP

BigRed,
Thanks for answering! It never occurred to me to simply open one up and look....duh! Sure enough, there's a nice big round seed inside! OK, now all I have to do is learn the stratification process. I saw a few posts on other forums. I'll just do some research.

Frausnow

Try Sheffield's Seed Company's webpage. They have good info on stratifing.

sheffields.com

PP