Growing Tips

Seed Treatments

Most tree and shrub seeds found in Saskatchewan require treatment before they will germinate. This overcomes internal chemical and/or physical dormancy, a natural mechanism that prevents seeds from germinating in the fall and being killed by the cold.

In nature, germination inhibitors are overcome by natural decay of the hard seed coat, leaching through rain, breakdown by cold or by passing through the digestive tract of an animal or bird. To artificially overcome dormancy, seed may be exposed to moist and/or cold treatments (stratification) or the seed coat may be altered (scarification).

Stratification: Clean the seed and soak in clean water for 48 hours. Seeds with very thick seed coats, such as plum or chokecherry, may need to be soaked for up to five days. Drain the water and place the seed in a perforated plastic bag. A moist medium, such as clean sand or peat moss, may be mixed with the seed in the bag to maintain even moisture and reduce disease and drying problems.

To warm-stratify seed, place the bag on your kitchen counter at room temperature. To cold-stratify seed, place the bag in a refrigerator (not in the freezer). See chart at the end of this section for recommended times. Check the bag daily and gently massage it to increase air movement.

Alternatively, sow the seeds in your garden in the fall. Remember, seed picked from the wild has variable germination depending on growing conditions of a particular season. Some species may take up to two years to germinate. Mark their location! You can protect the seed bed with wire mesh to ensure that the seeds or seedlings are not eaten by birds, mice, rabbits or deer. Once the seeds have germinated, transplant them into pots or thin out and let grow in the garden before transplanting to their permanent location.

Scarification: There are two methods:

• The seed may be rubbed between two layers of sandpaper, or a knife may be used to scar the seed surface. Take care not to cut too deeply and damage the seed's embryo.
• The seed may be placed in four to five times its volume of not-quite boiling water, leaving it to soak until cool.