HYB: removing germination inhibitors - part 1
- Subject: [iris] HYB: removing germination inhibitors - part 1
- From: Linda Mann l*@volfirst.net
- Date: Sat, 26 Jul 2003 17:47:01 -0400
- List-archive: <http://www.hort.net/lists/iris/> (Web Archive)
The things I learn from/because of this list...
Vallette's book, Iris Culture and Hybridizing for Everyone, has several
pages (154-156) describing various things reported to speed up
germination. I'll post a little at a time -
Treatment with BAL (British Anti Lewisite) is the only thing she
describes as resulting in immediate germination. Only catch is that the
seed has to be 'decapped' first.
Soak decapped seed in 1% BAL solution for 24 hrs. It smells bad.
BAL is 2,3-dimercaptopropanol, also known as Dimercaprol. Lewisite is a
form of mustard agent used in WWI.
Lots of stuff on the web about various salts of BAL used as a chelating
agent in cases of metal poisoning. I only found two references to seed
germination. I didn't see anything in my quick surf about other
products that might be out there to use to enhance germination that are
more 'modern' than BAL. Surely there is something that would work the
same way that's been discovered since World War I.
She has some info on Clorox and sulfuric acid also - will post later.
--
Linda Mann east Tennessee USA zone 7/8
East Tennessee Iris Society <http://www.korrnet.org/etis>
American Iris Society web site <http://www.irises.org>
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