Pre-treatment Guide
Most seed is dormant and benefits from being pre-treated to ensure sufficient and even germination. Different species have different dormancy breakage requirements. Recommendations to break the different level of dormancy are given below but these should be used for guidance only as there is variation in depth of dormancy between different seedlots of the same species.
Non dormant e.g. oak, horse chestnut, sweet chestnut.
These seeds are either not dormant at harvest or have a dormancy which disappears naturally during storage or in the soil when sown. They do not require any stratification.
Pre-chilled e.g. alder, birch, many spruces.
These seeds are not actually dormant but will germinate faster and more uniformly if given a moist chilling (or pre-chill) at 0-2° C for up to 10 weeks. Soak seed in running water for up to 48 hours, drain thoroughly, place in a polythene bag, tie lightly and mix regularly during storage. The seed can be sown any time after three weeks of treatment.
Most seed is dormant and benefits from being pre-treated to ensure sufficient and even germination. Different species have different dormancy breakage requirements. Recommendations to break the different level of dormancy are given below but these should be used for guidance only as there is variation in depth of dormancy between different seedlots of the same species.
Non dormant e.g. oak, horse chestnut, sweet chestnut.
These seeds are either not dormant at harvest or have a dormancy which disappears naturally during storage or in the soil when sown. They do not require any stratification.
Pre-chilled e.g. alder, birch, many spruces.
These seeds are not actually dormant but will germinate faster and more uniformly if given a moist chilling (or pre-chill) at 0-2° C for up to 10 weeks. Soak seed in running water for up to 48 hours, drain thoroughly, place in a polythene bag, tie lightly and mix regularly during storage. The seed can be sown any time after three weeks of treatment.
