So many grew at our place in Indiana, we named it Coffetree Bottoms since it was on the edge of the Little River Valley. (We still get to visit this special place since my parents bought it:)
I scarified a batch of KY coffeetree seeds with acid last year and got zero germination, which completely stinks when you are wanting to grow something. After watching some videos we realized my acid scarification didn't work. The seeds look completely different when you crack through their hard exterior - the seed coat - and mine didn't change, but Steve cracked the code! Take a look:
Seeds still in the pods prior to Steve's treatment:
Cleaned seeds ready for knicking through the seed coat, but not into the fertile inside:
Steve's knicking device: a Rockwell oscillating tool with a semi-circular blade:
Inappropriate PPE!
Seeds after knicking and a hot water soak (we did this overnight or until we noticed a change in the seed coat):
Swollen seed ready for planting:
These seeds are almost twice as big as when we harvested them and they feel full of water. We planted all these and got 100% germination!
Wow! Good job! Looking up through a Kentucky coffeetree in summer is like looking through green lace. Love them!
ReplyDeleteI tried my first scarification and soaking with lupine seeds this spring. Germination wasn't great, probably due to operator error, but the ones that came up, came up super fast.
Sending "live long and prosper" vibes to your little trees!
ooooo - lupine! How did you scarify? This is all so super fascinating to us. We love it!
DeleteI just read that they need to go through a mastodon first!
ReplyDeleteThis is great, March! I just read the link in your newsletter to thoughts on Coffeetree germination. Fascinating stuff and makes total sense! We are on the same wavelength right now with this awesome tree. :)
DeleteLove the above comment, I think squirrels are needed! They plant all the tree seeds, that is their purpose in life, so your little nic is like a squirrel chew! SMART..
ReplyDeleteEverthing is so connected; it's completely fascinating! We have lots of squirrels....they need to get to it. We want more coffeetrees! :)
DeleteHow I scarified: I nicked some with a file, clipped some with nail clippers, and roughed some up on sandpaper, then soaked overnight. I didn't track which seeds I planted where so don't know which method was most effective. Nothing can beat your 100% germination with the oscillating tool!
ReplyDeleteCool stuff! Thanks for sharing. We are learning so much about seeds. :)
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