The "cup of tea" method for germinating seeds

[annew]

I'm getting the impression that the hassle of pre-soaking is rather pointless!

[Matt T]

Anne, the results do suggest that pre-soaking in any kind of liquid has had no effect on germination rates for the species tested. I would note that the storage conditions in my house (glassine packets in a tin kept cool and not overly dry) might mean that seeds did not desiccate to the extent that they might under different storage conditions (i.e. central heating, warmer modern homes etc). I've learnt a lot from observing these seeds and hope I will find time at some point to distill a few thoughts from my findings.

One of the limitations of the experiment identified at the outset was that the only seeds available at that time were of bulbous species that typically require a period of cold prior to germination. This biological mechanism appears to override any effect of soaking in tea etc. As Tim notes, it will be interesting to repeat this experiment with seed of species conventionally regarded as recalcitrant. I think those species listed by Deno for which GA-3 would be beneficial would be ideal subjects...I only need procure them. I also have GA-3, which would provide a useful comparator. With an impending move it's unlikely that I can do so this year, but I would like to experiment some more with seed germination of many species when I have the opportunity.

[Matt T]

It's also worth pointing out that the Narcissus seeds were of a large Div.1 cultivar, which might not dry out as fast or to the same extent as smaller seeds of our favourite miniatures.

[Lesley Cox]

As I remember, this thread started way back in the day and I remember being wildly enthusiastic because I had had some early success. Recently there has been much less, but the other day I was talking to my chum Laurol who remarked casually that "of course you need to have the pots in a really warm place." At the time while my pots have been in shade and about 14-18 C during the spring and early summer, hers were on a sunny deck in 23C. Go figure!

So maybe worth continuing with some modifications.

[Matt T]

Wish we could achieve 14-18oC, we rarely make that in the sun, let alone the shade!

Lots of potential for variations on the basic experiment. Would be nice if I didn't have to work and could play around with plants all day every day... One day, maybe.

[johnstephen29]

Keep buying the euromillions tickets matt and it could happen

[Matt T]

Thanks John, but I'm planning on aligning things so that work involves playing with plants...I think there's more chance of success with that than randomly generated numbers. 

[Matt T]

Out of interest, here's Scilla siberica in week 31.

[Matt T]

Week 30
...here's the chart for M. armenaicum to date (no-soakers leading the way, Anne!)

(Attachment Link)

Muscari armenaicum '1D' (24 hour soak in water) have caught up.

[annew]

Wish we could achieve 14-18oC, we rarely make that in the sun, let alone the shade!

Lots of potential for variations on the basic experiment. Would be nice if I didn't have to work and could play around with plants all day every day... One day, maybe.

You'll need minions as well.

[Matt T]

I have one of those but he's not very good! 

[Robert Pavlis]

The iris seeds I tested still have not germinated. Soaking in tea had no effect on the germination of peony seeds - if anything it reduced the % germination a bit.

[Robert Pavlis]

The seeds of Iris colletii germinated around August 10. Got almost 100% germination both with and without tea. The seeds had been washed in either water or tea. Adding tea to the wash water had no effect.

[ChrisB]

Followed the instructions to the letter and had no success at all, but didn't sow a control set either. Will try again using a control

[Matt T]

Me neither, Chris. I had to cut my experiment short due to moving house and since then have not had time to synthesise the results I did get. However, it was pretty clear that for the range of species I was using (bulbous species that typically require a period of winter cold to germinate) the cup of tea treatment made little (no) difference to germination times or rates. This was identified as a possible limitation at the outset of my experiment and repeating it with seeds of species more conventionally considered to be "recalcitrant" may give different results.