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Re: How can I germinate staghorn sumac seed?

Rick Morneau wrote:
> 
> I've tried planting staghorn sumac seed with and without the fuzzy coating.
> I've also removed the outer shell and boiled the seed, and I've also abraded
> the seed with sandpaper.  I've tried seed picked fresh in the fall and seed
> that remained on the branch through the winter.  I used the same soil that the
> adult plants are currently thriving in.  (Soil is slightly acidic - GREAT for
> Idaho Russets! :-)  There is no shortage of bees, and they spend a lot of time
> with the sumac in late summer.
> 
> Nothing seems to work.
> 
> Does anyone have any advice?  I'm in southeast Idaho (USA), 5000 feet
> altitude, on the border between Sunset zones 2 and 3.
> 
> Also, the adult plants produce numerous suckers.  Is there a way to detach
> them from the main plant and move them to a new location?  I tried a few
> times but they always died.
I am not saying this will work. I am not sure it really worked with
Ilex. I did get heavy germination of I.verticillata and am currently
trying I.vomitoria. I mash them up a bit, add a little sugar and water,
a pinch of yeast, and place them in a warm place (i.e. on top of the
water heater). Your staghorn is not very pulpy but the fermentation may
work anyway. Of course you'll still have to separate the seed from the
mess after a few days of fermenting. I don't know whether drying before
planting is necessary or detrimental. I planted the Sparkleberry
(I.verticillata) right away.The berries had been on the bush well into
winter so perhaps the cold requirement had been met.
             Jerry on the Outer Banks
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