Who has never been disappointed...

...to sow a seed and never see anything grow? And sometimes, the disappointment is even greater when you put a lot of mental attention into it, because you really want that plant to come to life... but nothing. Nada.

The cold shower.
What am I saying, a migraine!

In short, it's hell.

So, here are some essential concepts learned during my market gardening courses but especially by doing my own research.

Understand before you (fail)

What you absolutely need to know

A seed is dormant, that is to say, it is waiting for all the favorable conditions to come together to put itself in danger, draw on its reserves and attempt the adventure of life.

When a seed is in your hand, before sowing it at the risk of failing, you must first understand who it is before acting to awaken it.

One seed, but not all the same

Recalcitrant seeds

Some seeds, known as recalcitrant seeds, do not tolerate desiccation (drying out) and must be sown quickly after harvesting. This is the case for many tropical seeds or certain forest species such as oak or chestnut.

Orthodox seeds

Others, called orthodox seeds, can be stored for a long time if they are stored in a dry, dark place. They go dormant until the right conditions are met.

In short, remember that there are seeds that should definitely not be dried/stored for a long time, such as:

• Chestnut ( Castanea sativa )
• Hazel ( Corylus avellana )
• Walnut ( Juglans regia )
  
• Pecan tree ( Carya illinoinensis ) – Pecan nut
  
• Ginkgo biloba – Planted in forest gardens for its edible leaves and seeds used in Asian cuisine.
• Tea plant ( Camellia sinensis )
  
• Oak ( Quercus spp. )
• Beech ( Fagus sylvatica )

But when does the seed know when to germinate?

This is precisely the subtlety and the key to the success of your sowing.

First of all, there is an ideal temperature for each species. For example:

• Apple tree, at least 6 weeks at 4°C
• Amelanchier, 90 days of cold before germination
  
• Pawpaw, cold stratification for 3/4 months.
  
• Black elderberry, warm stratification 2 months at 20°C + cold 2-3 months at 3-5°C
  

Then there are techniques that allow you to break seed dormancy.

Stratification

A seed is guided by time and knows roughly when it should germinate thanks to the seasons.

For example, an apple seed must go through a cold period (cold stratification) to be able to germinate. It needs several weeks at temperatures below 5°C.

In practice, this means that they can be stored in a moist substrate in the refrigerator for a few weeks before sowing.

Scarification

Some seeds must pass through an animal intestine or undergo abrasion in order to germinate.

This abrasion would simulate the passage through an animal's intestine, a strategy chosen by the plant to extend its geographical distribution area.

Humans want to travel and colonize territories, now you know that plants do too thanks to this technique. No abrasion = I continue to sleep.

So you can help these seeds by filing them lightly, soaking them in hot water or rubbing them on sandpaper.

Besides, seed, living being?

Affirmative! A seed breathes, consumes energy, and decides when the right time is to germinate. It is a dormant organism, capable of pausing for years before starting a new life. It already contains everything needed to create a plant, a tree, or a flower.

The mystery of nature operates with every successful seed. But this mystery follows very precise rules, and now that you know the basics, you maximize your chances of seeing life blossom before our eyes.

___

I hope this article didn't give you a headache.

See you soon,
Matlot