scarifying

Please explain the an easy way to do this. Do I have to nick each seed? Can I put the seeds in a bag with coarse sand paper and shake? Is placing seeds on wets paper towel the same thing? Please take pity on me?!

You can place seeds in a plastic container and gently run sandpaper over them. The block kind works best.If you need to innoculate them, that is the time also.

And no, putting them on a wet paper towel is not the same. Some seeds that require scarification can also benefit from the wet paper towel method, but you need to scarify them first.

Thank you. Trillium612, what do you mean by innoculating them? This is completing new to me! Thanks to ercane3 too!

I clip the edge of my seeds with a nail clipper and then sand them down a little bit. Then I put them in the baggie and this does really helps the germination process.

Also depends on seed size...larger seeds I've had good luck with dog nail clippers - believe it or not...LOL Smaller seeds I get my grandbaby's nail clippers...Ha, no one's safe...

Although I have not tried this YET!, (I intend to) I read recently in one of my many gardening magazines (too many!) about a method of scarifying that sounds worth a try. The writer said he used an old blender and mixed the seeds with sand and then "pulsed" the mix a few times. I don't recall the amount of sand, but I think I will try a minimum amount and then just experiment from there. He then sowed seeds (and sand). Sounds plausible. If you don't have an old blender, there are usually a few to be found at garage sales.

Thanks zorba for the tip. Since I realized that the reason I have a food processor is to grind up pine and spruce needles into a luvly duff to add acidity where I need it, I think I might give this a try. I'm a big fan of mixing poppy seeds with sand when direct sowing to get a better distribution too. This sounds great!

If your are doing bulk scarification , use sulphuric acid from your local hardware store. Red and golden flame tree germination will be 80% in 14 days, golden shower and sukara cherry will be 100% in 10 days. I scarify 2,000 seeds at a time. Since February, Iian and I have broadcast along hiking trail and back roads 14,000 red flame trees, 4,500 golden shower and about 2,500 sakura cherry seeds. Please be VERY careful handling the acid, it is very nasty stuff If you want more specific details, contact me at capcarl@gmail.com, Trying to manuvere around DG's website has ruined my day more than once. Cheers, Cap Carl

scarify is only one way of softening the seed coat. On thick seeds I soak them in 50% water, 50% drugstore hydrogen peroxide for about 6 days then plant. prevents bacteria rot also.