A Detailed Guide to Several of the Latest Methods for Scarifying Hawthorn Seeds

Hawthorn has a sweet-and-sour taste and is a fruit beloved by many people who enjoy sour flavors. It can not only be eaten directly, but also processed into hawthorn slices, dried hawthorn and other small snacks. However, hawthorn seeds are very hard and have a low germination rate. Today, the editor brings you several methods that can improve the germination rate of hawthorn seeds.

1. Early seed collection with alternating temperature treatment and sand storage method

Collecting hawthorn seeds early can speed up germination. Harvest when the hawthorn ripens in September. Collecting seeds before the fruit has fully colored is more suitable. This is because at this time the seeds are basically mature, but have not yet completely hardened and the suture has not closed, which is favorable for germination. Crush the harvested fruit, but be sure not to damage the seeds. Take out the seeds and wash them clean with water, then place them in boiling water of over 90 degrees and stir for 5 minutes. After removing them, cool them with cold water and soak for a whole day. The next day, take them out and expose them to the sun, turning them once an hour so the seeds are heated evenly. At night, put them back into water to soak, and repeat the sun exposure the next day. This helps the seed shell crack early. Then you can prepare 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 alternating temperature treatment and sand storage method, collect the seeds early, crush the flesh and take out the seeds, then wash them clean with water. Then 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 place into a pit. In a sunny, wind-sheltered area, dig a pit about one meter deep and about 0.8 meters wide; the length depends on the situation and is determined by the number of seeds. Spread the mixed seeds flat at the bottom of the pit. At a position about ten centimeters from the seeds, lay down a layer of wood, place a breathable cloth on the wood, and put a bundle of rice straw or straw on the cloth for ventilation. Then fill the pit. To prevent water accumulation in the pit, it should be slightly higher than the ground level. Store in sand for 6-7 months, then carry out spring sowing. The germination rate of such seeds can be greatly increased.

3. Horse manure fermentation method

⟦NL>In autumn, collect the seeds, scald them 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 stirring, put them into a dug pit 40 cm deep, cover them after placing them in, and let the seeds heat up to about 37 degrees. After one to two months, the seeds will crack. Take them out and then sow in spring. This method can produce seedlings in the same year.

The above three are the methods summarized by the editor for improving 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 editor's methods to promote germination, which can still greatly improve the germination rate of the seeds!