SEED PRE-TREATMENTS

Many native seeds have chemical or mechanical dormancies that require special treatments to break those dormancies before they can germination.  One way to break these dormancies is to let nature do it for you.  Or you can mimic the treatments that happen in nature in order to produce the conditions necessary for germination.

When a cold moist treatment is required, we like to mix the seed with vermiculite.  Vermiculite has properties that reduce the incidence of mold, especially when long treatments are required.

Seed Treatment Key

(10), (30), (60), (90), (120)  = number of days for the pre-treatment

N	No pre-treatment necessary
LT	Needs light for germination.  Plant on top of pressed soil so seed does not lie too far below the surface
SCAR	Scarification – rub lightly with sandpaper
H	Hot water treatment – heat water to 110 F. Pour over seed and let stand 12 to 24 hrs.
F	Prefers Winter planting outdoors
CM	Cold moist – add sand or vermiculite and water and place in a bag or container in the refrigerator
WM	Warm moist -add sand or vermiculite and water and place in a warm windowsill
CG	Cold germ- Prefers cool temperatures below 65 F for germination
L	Legume – Often addition of inoculants can be helpful.  If planting where other legumes have grown inoculation may not be necessary
KM	Keep moist – These seeds should not be allowed to dry out after harvest
DH	Dehulled – These seed, when removed from hulls do not need scarification
FZ	Freeze – add sand or vermiculite and moisture in a container then place in a freezer