Re: HYB: germination experiment

In a message dated 12/10/2006 8:11:26 AM Eastern Standard Time,  
lmann@lock-net.com writes:

>I remember you mentioning the gooey remains of the pod, which I  would have 
felt compelled to dispose of.  
 


Greetings.
 
Actually, this was Linda quoting Christian...I think.
 
Anent this business of pods, dry pods, and soaked or frozen  pods.
 
For some time since this came up I have been trying to find time to dig  
around in my notes about germination inhibitors, and I apologize that I have not  
found the information I am about to reference and so cannot provide a 
citation.  I am trying to help an editor out by writing a little  article. 
 
Anyway, I have some material around here somewhere--and it may be in Dr.  
Deno's book(s)--to the effect that germination inhibitors are  often carried *in 
the umbilicus or seed pod lining as such* so that these  must be separated 
from the seed through means natural or mechanical before the  various processes 
involved in germination will kick in. This akin to the  business of removing 
fleshy or corky coats from seeds which have them.
 
Likewise, there is some thought that disintegrating organic  matter, but not 
necessarily the seed's own pod, and probably not  that--- releases 
gibberellins--let's see if the spell checker knows that  one!-- which are beneficial to 
germination, possibly, even essential in  some genera. This is why I always sow 
any seeds that are going to be  left outside in the elements in a good 
organic mix. The rains leach, the mix  rots, and the gibs flow. In theory, heh. 
 
And then Deno's work, which got a lot more respect at one time than it does  
now, although I, personally, have found his publications very valuable  in my 
work with various seeds. I believe some folks faulted his method, and  others 
accused him of reinventing the wheel, and there was some waspish  noise about 
attributions, until some who had championed him no  longer spoke his name. 
Anyway, he, working with his own refrigerated  burritos, demonstrated that many 
species of various genera benefited  from three month periods of alternating 
temperatures to achieve germination.  This was not news, but it was interesting 
anyway. So, Linda, your  intuitions about fluctuatinos could be right.
 
There is more on Deno in the archives. Probably tons of stuff on the  WWW.
 
Cordially,
 
Anner Whitehead
Richmond VA USA

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