How to germinate hawthorn seeds? 3 methods to greatly increase the germination rate
Hawthorn fruit is sweet and sour, a fruit loved by many people who enjoy sour flavors. It can be eaten directly and can also be processed into hawthorn slices, dried hawthorn and other small snacks. However, hawthorn seeds are very hard and have a low germination rate. Below are 3 methods for forcing hawthorn seeds to sprout; do this, and the seed germination rate will be greatly increased!
1. Early seed collection with variable temperature treatment and sand storage method
Collecting hawthorn seeds early can speed up seed emergence. Harvest when hawthorn ripens in September; collecting seeds before the fruit has fully colored is more suitable. At this time the seeds are basically mature, but have not yet completely hardened and the suture has not closed, and such seeds are favorable for germination.
Crush the harvested fruit, but be sure not to damage the seeds. After taking out the seeds, wash them clean with water, put them into boiling water above 90 degrees and stir for 5 minutes, remove them and cool them with cold water, soak for a whole day, take them out the next day and expose them to the sun, turning them once an hour so the seeds are heated evenly, then put them back into water to soak at night, and repeat the sun exposure the next day. This helps the seed coat crack early, and then they are ready for sand storage. In the second year a small number of seeds will have already germinated and can be sown.
2. Early seed collection with sand storage method
As with the early seed collection with variable temperature treatment and sand storage method, collect the seeds early. Crush the fruit flesh, take out the seeds and wash them clean with water, put the seeds in a container and soak them in cold water for about 10-15 days, changing the water once every 2-3 days. When taking out the seeds, store them in sand immediately while they are still wet, stir evenly, and put them into a pit.
In a sunny, wind-sheltered area, dig a pit about one meter deep and about 0.8 m wide, with the length depending on the situation and determined by the number of seeds. Spread the mixed seeds flat on the bottom of the pit. At about 10 cm from the seeds, lay a layer of wood, place a breathable cloth on the wood, put a bundle of rice straw or stalks on the cloth for ventilation, then fill the pit. To prevent water from accumulating in the pit, it should be slightly higher than ground level. Store in sand for 6-7 months, then carry out spring sowing; in this way the seed germination rate can be greatly increased.
3. Horse manure fermentation method
Collect the seeds in autumn, scald the seeds once with hot water, then soak them in warm water for 3-5 days. Note that when the water temperature is lower than body temperature, the water should be changed. After soaking, take out the seeds and mix them with horse manure at a ratio of about 1:4. After mixing, put them into a dug pit 40 cm deep, cover them after putting them in, and let the seeds heat up to about 37 degrees. After 1-2 months the seeds will crack. Take them out and then sow in spring. This method can produce seedlings in the same year.
The above are the methods introduced by Tuliu.com for increasing the germination rate of hawthorn seeds. Although the seeds in mature hawthorn are very hard and the germination rate is very low, you can collect the seeds when the hawthorn is not yet fully mature and then use the above 3 methods to force germination, which can greatly increase the germination rate of hawthorn seeds.