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Post by Adona Mara on Jul 8, 2008 11:37:09 GMT -5
I was getting ready to plant some catnip the other day when I read this on the back of the package. I had to look it up, as I'd never had a seed pack tell me this before, and I thought I'd pass it along just in case it was a new treatment for anyone else. I have planted seeds that suggested "soaking" before planting, but this was the first for "scarifying." Now, as much fun as it would be to toss on a sheet and shout boo at the seeds just before planting, what scarifying means is that the seeds should be scarred -- not scared . To Scarify seeds, place them between two sheets of extra-fine sandpaper and rub lightly back and forth 3 or 4 times. This will aid in germination, allowing more of the seeds to grow which I'd say is a good thing. If the back of your seed pack doesn't recommend it, you might want to check a gardening book or online to find out if it's good for your particular seeds. Some don't require it. One of the purposes of scarification is to mimic the result of when birds eat and scatter the seed: when the seed comes in contact with the gravel in the bird's gullet, it's slightly scarified, and the plant, apparently, has grown to expect it. So, treat it right, and it'll treat you right. Happy planting.
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Icarus
Private Member
Posts: 2,572
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Post by Icarus on Jul 15, 2008 9:57:30 GMT -5
Ok, now, this makes sense. My grandfather used to hold seeds in his hand, while still in the little packages they come in, and rub them around and shake them around, and otherwise make the seeds rub all around and get a bit grainy. They were still whole, but grainy-like. I wondered why he did that, so maybe he was scarifying seeds too.
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Post by Jinsei on Jul 16, 2008 19:45:39 GMT -5
I've heard of people pressing and rubbing together the seeds in the packets before soaking them in water. Figured it was just something old people did.
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Post by Adona Mara on Jul 17, 2008 17:45:43 GMT -5
"Figured it was just something old people did."
It is just something old people do ... now you know why. ;D
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