How to stratify hawthorn seeds? An introduction to several common methods
Hawthorn has a sweet-and-sour taste and is a favorite fruit of 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 increase 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 seedling emergence. 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 beneficial 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 of over 90 degrees, stir for 5 minutes, remove them and cool them with cold water, then soak for a whole day. The next day, take them out and spread them in the sun to dry, 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-drying the next day. This helps the seed shells crack early. Then you can prepare for sand storage. In the second year, a small number of seeds will have already germinated, and they 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, and 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 put them into a pit. Dig a pit about one meter deep and about 0.8 meters wide in a sunny, wind-sheltered area; the length depends on the situation and is determined by the number of seeds. Spread the mixed seeds flat on the bottom of the pit, place a layer of wood about ten centimeters away from the seeds, put a breathable cloth on the wood, and place a bundle of rice straw or stalks 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 improved.
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 stir 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 putting 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 methods are the ones summarized by the editor for increasing the germination rate of hawthorn seeds. Although the seeds in ripe hawthorn are very hard and the germination rate is very low, you can collect the seeds when the hawthorn is not yet fully ripe and then use the editor's methods to force germination, which can still greatly increase the germination rate of the seeds!