Re: LA: Seed germination
- To: i*@onelist.com
- Subject: Re: LA: Seed germination
- From: <R*@aol.com>
- Date: Fri, 3 Jul 1998 05:58:46 EDT
From: <RMTURLEY@aol.com>
In a message dated 7/2/98 9:17:40 PM Central Daylight Time,
watergarden@hargray.com writes:
<< Are not the seeds still a beige or cream color when the pod has just
yellowed?
Is it safe to harvest and plant before the seed turns brown? It makes sense
that
the final stage of development in the seed coat would be to form the means to
protect seed from the elements and prevent premature germination once the pod
opens. >>
Hello Stephen,
Once the pods have turn yellow, they are mature. If the pods are left to
themselves, the scape usually has already bent over to the ground and the pod
decomposes exposing the seed to the soil. In the wild this is usually damp
soil and the seeds never dry down, and so germinate readily in the early fall.
If it is a dry year, then they dry down and go into a dormancy. When the
rains come they re-absorb moisture and the viable seed begin the germinating
process.
When seed are exposed to air and light they begin turning brown.
Robert Turley
Lake Charles, LA
zone 9a
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