Scarification Techniques

[OverGrown]

I have some enterolobium seeds that need to be scarified.

I initially tried to knick them with sharp scissors and then rub them against concrete but that didn't work out as the seed coat was very hard. I've read online that a 30 second soak in some boiling water will do the trick but was curious as to what others had tried.

Experience is the best teacher!

Thanks in advance!

[John in Andalucia]

My only experience is with Delonix regia seeds, which are as tough as little pebbles. The treatment is boiling water, leaving them in the water overnight. In the morning, the seed case will have turned gelatinous and the seed will emerge like a soft, fresh bean. I dare say this thread will be moved, since we're discussing non-palm species, but that's my experience anyway.

[OverGrown]

I was worried that leaving them in the boiling water too long would cook the embryo but if it worked for you then it might be worth a shot.

If this thread needs to be moved, thats fine, but it might fall under the category of general interest.

[MattyB]

I've done some boiling and some scarifying on Schizolobium, Delonix, Acacia, Calliandra, and a few others with hard seed coats. In my experience, scraping them with a file, and then soaking them over night until the hard coating begins to peel back is the best method. You just need to file down one spot so as to break through the tough outer layer and allow water to penetrate it, no need to file the whole seed. Boiling them has led to some wierd germination mutations and damping off. I've grown the same seed side by side using both methods and the file method is the best in my opinion.

[paulgila]

wanna know how many time i can hit the "report" button in 30 seconds?

18,597.

[gcyao]

I have similar experiences as Matt's. One time, I think the seeds got cooked because there was no germination at all. I nicked some from the same batch with a nail-cutter and they germinated. I think the smaller and thinner the seeds, the more danger of them getting heat damage.

[OverGrown]

Update:

So I soaked them in boiling water and left it over night to no avail. Then I tried to file them down a bit but found it would be too time consuming to take off a layer. Next up... Power drill.