rhino187
Posts: 7
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| Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 12:03 pm Post subject: Scarifying Seeds |
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Can anyone tell me what the term "scarifying" means?
Does it mean to boil seeds in hot water before sowing?
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toni
 Administrator
Plants Moderator
Regular Plants Contributor
North Texas, Zone 8a
Posts: 11232
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| Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 12:59 pm Post subject: |
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Hi,
Scarifying means to make a cut in a hard shelled seed.
Nature usually does this by the freezing and thawing action during the course of a winter. But people do it by carefully making a small nick in the hard shell of the seed. It doesn't have to be a large cut, just a nick with a knife or nail clippers will work.
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To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with Spring ----
George Santayana
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waretrop
Posts: 486
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| Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 1:47 pm Post subject: Scarifying Seeds (like of Tamarind) |
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Here I am Googling about this very same topic and there it was.... My very own "Garden Stew"....
So this leads me to add to the title and get my own help. After all that's why I became a member here.
I went to the Reading Terminal Market yesterday. I found a box of Tamarind used for food. When I go through these exotic food places I think (how can I grow this) first then I think of trying to eat it.
I have learned that they are known as Indian Dates. They are sweet. I opened a few and found very hard seeds around something that was sticky and gooey. The guy told me I needed to boil it. I will look into that later for learning how to grow it if much more important.
I need to scarify them. Does anyone know exactly how to do that with these seeds? I know the tree is like a Mimosa with the pods and complex leaves.
My reason for the urgency is that the box says to refrigerate it. Hubby put it in the fridge, for he is more concerned about eating it.  I don't want to harm the viability.
Maybe Toni or someone else can help me.
Barb in Pa.
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Jerry Sullivan
Regular Plants Contributor
Chelmsford MA
Posts: 2512
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| Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 2:43 pm Post subject: |
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I am forever planting seeds in pots and then forgetting about them. A couple of years ago I planted some date seeds. I did nothing unusual, just planted them.
http://www.gardenstew.com/plantstew/garden-image.php?image_id=19563&user_id=10953
http://www.gardenstew.com/plantstew/garden-image.php?image_id=19564&user_id=10953
The seeds sprouted and are now two years old. Done more from curiosity than to obtain a viable tree, they continue to grow very sloooooooly.
I believe Indian Dates are Phoenix dactylifera and grow to be over 100 feet tall. While my plants aspire to greatness, I think under the present conditions they will remain small.
In areas of the world where date palms grow, plants are started from 45 lb. suckers that are 3 to 5 years old to assure they bare fruit as half the seeds are male. Suckers sold in tubs of water at bazaars in places like Southern Algeria take several years to bare fruit. In Egypt suckers from areas that routinely flood weighing up to 500 lbs. are transplanted.
Jerry
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Coppice
SE-OH USAian
Posts: 279
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| Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 2:44 pm Post subject: Re: Scarifying Seeds |
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| rhino187 wrote: | Can anyone tell me what the term "scarifying" means?
Does it mean to boil seeds in hot water before sowing? |
Take a small file or emory board and give each seed a couple licks. You do not have to totaly grind off a section of the seed coat in order for water to seep in easier.
Warm water please, boiling water will cook and kill your seeds.
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Giving away OP seeds, and bad gardening advice since 1992.
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waretrop
Posts: 486
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| Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 3:08 pm Post subject: Scarifying Seeds (like of Tamarind) |
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No Jerry, It's Tamarindus indica. The leaves are like the Mimosa.
My hubby found where you boil the seeds for a little time to begin the growing action. I don't know. I guess I will do a test thing. I have so many of them. So I will boil some and nick some and I think I will also nick some and use my paper towel method and see if I can germinate that way. If they do, I will know exactly how much time it takes for germination.
Hopefully more advice comes.
Has anyone else ever found these in a grocery store?
Barb in Pa.
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Jerry Sullivan
Regular Plants Contributor
Chelmsford MA
Posts: 2512
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| Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 3:22 pm Post subject: |
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Ohh, an interesting plant, lots of uses. A different family of tropical fruit than palms. How large are the seeds?
Jerry
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waretrop
Posts: 486
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| Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 3:29 pm Post subject: Scarifying Seeds (like of Tamarind) |
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Tamarind seed ( photo / image / picture from waretrop's Garden )
Jerry, It's this size. 
Barb in Pa.
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Jerry Sullivan
Regular Plants Contributor
Chelmsford MA
Posts: 2512
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| Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 3:42 pm Post subject: |
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I found some propagation info in the World Agroforestry Center Database
Tamarind (Tamarindus indica)
Propagation method:
Pretreatment involves soaking seeds in cold water for 12 hours or nicking the seed; germination is epigeous, and has a rate of about 90% in 40-50 days. Germination is best when seeds are covered by 1.5 cm loose, sandy loam or by a mixture of loam and sand. Seedlings should attain at least 80 cm before being transplanted to their final location.
Jerry
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waretrop
Posts: 486
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| Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 3:50 pm Post subject: Scarifying Seeds (like of Tamarind) |
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Oh thank ya Jerry. You're a good man.
Will keep you all posted.
Barb in Pa.
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carolyn keiper
northern ohio
Posts: 1907
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| Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 8:47 pm Post subject: |
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Barb, What ever method you try, don't boil them. That will kill the seed. IF there is a method for boiling them, it is probably an art to do this method, most likely you will cook the seed germ inside. It would be like cooking dried beans in order to germinate them. They would get all mushy inside and the seed wouldn't grow, only decompose in the soil. Good Luck!
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waretrop
Posts: 486
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| Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 9:24 pm Post subject: Scarifying Seeds (like of Tamarind) |
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Anyone want a few?
Barb in Pa.
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