Tell me why its necessary to file and soak seeds?

[qazwsxed]

Im new (really new to gardening) and it seems like i want to do it all at once! And i want to do it right! i research the internet finding the correct way to plant certain plants. On the seed packages you get at a retailer, it says just plant seeds in the ground. but on some websites it says to file a nick in the seed then soak it overnight. Is this necessary or suggested? what are the advantages of doing this? Id rather ask the experts or experienced gardners!!! Thanks in advance

[David Hare-Scott]

It depends entirely on the type of seed. Most seeds will germinate without any such treatment. Some require special treatment such as; abrasion, smoke, heat, soaking etc. The advantage for those seeds that require it is to greatly increase the germination rate.

If you say what kind of seeds you are dealing with somebody might give more specific advice.

David

[echinosum]

The correct treatment of seeds depends upon species. Some germinate easily for the gardener, others don't and need specific conditions to assist them. Some seeds have exceedingly tough outer parts, and the conditions that occur in the wild to enable these seeds to germinate are not replicated for the gardener without some artificial assistance. Some seeds the soaking, filing and nicking helps a bit, there are others that have no chance without it. There are even some seeds that people soak in acid to try and soften the coating. Remember, some seeds are designed to be eaten by an animal and come out the other end before germinating...

[gardenlen]

g'day,

i know it as scarifying seeds, not generally required for vegetable seeds and annual/perrennial garden seed.

but can be very necessary with seeds from native plants, to especially if they have a hard coveing of the seed, if the seeds are large enugh about the size of 3 pin heads i use a blade knife and shave some of the oute covering off on the side of eh seed untill you see the lighter inner colour, this allows for moisture to get into the seed and cause a better gemination rate quicker. other methods are pour hot wate on the seeds and leave for 24 hoursoeh native plant germinators have said they leave the seeds in the wate until they swell.

anoterh method is to soak seed in smokey wate (do a google), i've had good success with the shave or rub one side on some emery paper method, plant seeds in regular seed raising mix learn how the seedling develops we ahve a an endangered tree over hee that i regularly pass seeds around for i have had excellent gemination rate between 95 &

100%, but they need to be planted individually in pots with enough depth of medium so they can set their root system first the top looks like it is dormant at this satge ( and it is at this stage thatlosses occur as they don't take kindly to ransplanting until the top is well develped ie.,. small tree), so you can ahve 2 teeny leaves sitting there apparently doing nothing. but it is also a seed that needs to be used as fresh as after about 12 weeks in store they start to lose viability.

if you do teh ground work you will know waht will work best for particular plants

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[Billy]

i want to do it right! i research the internet finding the correct way to plant certain plants. On the seed packages you get at a retailer, it says just plant seeds in the ground. but on some websites it says to file a nick in the seed then soak it overnight.

It appears to me that "qazwsxed" was looking for why some plants need nicking and soaking, which echinosum answered quite clearly.

"Bread feeds the body, indeed, but flowers feed also the soul."

- The Koran

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