Seeds: to scarify or not to scarify

[Jubilation]

_{^{that is the question!}}

I have bactris and butia seeds.

Could I scarify them for faster and more consistent germination?

I'm thinking of using sulfuric acid but if I use acid I'm not sure how long to soak them as I've seen conflicting recommendations. Some say 10-30 minutes, others say hours.

Side note: they look like they may have some mold on them or old flesh.

[Fusca]

  On 4/3/2025 at 1:23 AM, Jubilation said:

_{^{that is the question!}}

I have bactris and butia seeds.

Could I scarify them for faster and more consistent germination?

I'm thinking of using sulfuric acid but if I use acid I'm not sure how long to soak them as I've seen conflicting recommendations. Some say 10-30 minutes, others say hours.

Side note: they look like they may have some mold on them or old flesh.

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I've never scarified a palm seed like I would with Sophora secundiflora or Caesalpinia pulcherrima seeds so I can't help you there but I have carefully cracked the outer shell of Butia odorata seeds in a vise.  This exposes multiple embryos which can then be germinated separately.  This speeds up the germination process but it's critical to maintain sterile conditions to avoid fungal growth.

[idontknowhatnametuse]

I think it only works with seeds that have a very hard endocarp like Acrocomia sp. or Astrocaryum sp. In your case, it might work with Bactris sp. since they take a lot of time to germinate.

[Jubilation]

  On 4/3/2025 at 2:47 PM, Fusca said:

 have carefully cracked the outer shell of Butia odorata seeds in a vise.  This exposes multiple embryos which can then be germinated separately.  This speeds up the germination process but it's critical to maintain sterile conditions to avoid fungal growth.

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I would try that but I don't have a vise :c

I tried scraping them with a knife and also tried to crack them in a molcajet. Nothing seemed to crack let alone dent them at all, barely even scratched the surface.

 

I'm worried about fungal growth too. I'm thinking I'll use copper soaps as an anti-fungal. I could also get captan and physan but I have never used them.

[Jubilation]

I will be experimenting with scarification.

I went and got acid, dolomitic lime to neutralize it, glass jars/utensils and protective gear

I think I'll have 3 groups:

• 30 minutes
• 6 hours
• control

I realize even for an informal 'experiment' there is a lot of variability between those times but i don't have that many subjects lol.

I think I would like to get more seeds before I proceed. If I had more seeds i'd probably add a 2 hours group and I'd do soaked-in-water seeds versus unsoaked before scarification. I'd also try more species.  What group would you add to this if you could?

I will keep this thread updated.

[hbernstein]

For possible fungus: why not soak them in some peroxide for a few minutes?

[Jubilation]

  On 4/16/2025 at 3:51 PM, hbernstein said:

For possible fungus: why not soak them in some peroxide for a few minutes?

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Yes I was actually thinking of doing a hydrogen peroxide soak after scarification because I heard hydrogen peroxide, diluted, can help  jumpstart germinating seeds. I would be slightly scared to use H2O2 prior cus anything left over could form piranha solution unless i dry them prior lol.

I assume concentrated sulfuric acid will take care of any surface mold, although I'm not entirely sure either!