The "cup of tea" method for germinating seeds

[Lesley Cox]

Robert, if what you say about the Podophyllum germination is correct, I wonder if it would also apply to hypothingy lilium seeds as distinct from epithingy. Sorry, the words escape me for the moment. Too early in the day.

[Robert Pavlis]

This original discussion started talking about Iris seeds. Based on advice from the ORGS Germination Guide, http://www.onrockgarden.com/germination-guide/plants , I have always washed Iris seeds with a daily rinse for a week. I once read you could simply put the bag of seeds in the toilet tank and it would rinse them for you. I wonder how many of the Iris experts use such a rinsing technique? It sounds a lot like the tea procedure.

[annew]

That would confirm the leaching of inhibitors theory, perhaps. Hmm...150 bags of seeds in the toilet..

[Robert Pavlis]

I decided to do my own experiment. I have had some peony seeds sitting on my desk, in moist Promix since about April 1, 2014. I was waiting for the redicle to develop at room temperature before moving them to the cold. Except for the one species noted below, nothing has happened yet--maybe tea will speed things along.

As far as I know the seeds were picked in summer 2013. I received them from the ORGS SeedEx March 2014 as extra seeds.

I brewed some tea using a standard sized cup plus 2 regular tea bags (Red Rose) and one Lipton Yellow label. I know this tea is far too strong for you Brits who have to dilute yours with milk  , but I wanted to make a strong tea to hopefully enhance the germination effect. I'll rinse with new tea every day for 4 days. For each species there is also a control that is being rinsed with water. I am using the baggy technique, which is what I normally use for seeds. I'll wash the seeds in baggies, and once the washing is complete, a moist paper towel will be added to the baggies and the seeds will be stored at room temperature. I like this technique because I can see what the seeds are doing. It also takes up so much less space than having pots around.

Ten seeds of each of the following are being rinsed in water, and another 10 in tea.

Paeonia officinalis ssp banatica
Paeonia veitchii v. woodwardii
Paeonia cambessedesii
Paeonia anomala

The Paeonia veitchii v. woodwardii started germinating about a month ago, but so far only 3 seeds have formed a radicle. About 1/2 of the remaining seeds show the tip of the radicle, but it is not growing. The seed sample for this test used a mixture of seeds containing some with and some without the radicle showing.

In each of the above cases I also have some remaining seed that is not part of this experiment, but that is continuing to be treated in my normal way which means they are in moist Promix at room temperature. This can be considered to be a second kind of control--seeds with no washing at all.

I also decided to try the test with P. hexandrum, knowing I had 1 ripe seed head left in the garden. When I went out to get it this morning- it was gone. It was there yesterday. Someone ate it overnight!

[Margaret]

Has anyone tried Teapigs? The company make their teabags out of biodegradable mesh. Guess that these bags could be used to contain the soaking seed. They are a bit more expensive than normal but the seeds might appreciate  the better flavour.

[Rick R.]

You didn't say when you started your experiment, Robert (Madtripper).......?

[Matt T]

Ok. The 3 batches of seeds (6 different seed collections) that are subject to the "cup of tea" method using treatments A - green tea, B - black tea and C - water are currently soaking. I will add another batch of seeds for the last soaking on Saturday and a fifth batch is being kept in reserve to be sown without any soaking on Sunday along with these soaked seeds.

[Robert Pavlis]

I started it yesterday--2nd wash today.

[ChrisB]

This is so interesting will be watching how it works out!

[annew]

VERY impressed! awaiting results with anticipation.

[Robert Pavlis]

I added some Iris Colletii to the list of seeds.
Not sure they are viable--it looks like the Iris are all floaters--but will proceed with test.

[Matt T]

The seeds have been soaked (for treatments A-D)...


...sown halfway down their pots...


...securely double-labelled...


...thoroughly watered and are in the propagation frame (avoiding having any experimental pots on an outside edge).


Now we watch and wait... 

[fermi de Sousa]

The seeds have been soaked (for treatments A-D)...

...thoroughly watered and are in the propagation frame (avoiding having any experimental pots on an outside edge).

So that's what they mean when they say they don't want to "give someone the edge"!
 
cheers
fermi

[Matt T]

Perhaps it will be the gibberellins in the tea, or the repeated soaking will "give them the edge"? 

There's a lot riding on this, but it's also fun to be doing some science again too

[Robert Pavlis]

Matt--you mentioned planting seeds half way down the pot. do you do this with all Scilla seeds?