Seed Handling, Seed Storage and Commercial Seeding Plant Propagation

3 General Fruit Classifications Dry – Indehiscent Dry – Dehiscent Fleshy

Dry - Indehiscent Fruits that do not split open when ripe. Ex: Maple, Elm, Ash and Oak

Dry – Indehiscent Fruits Ash Samaras Maple Schizocarps

Dry – Dehiscent Fruits Fruits that split open when ripe. Ex: Redbud, Honeylocust and St. Johnswort.

Dry – Dehiscent Fruits St. Johnswort Capsules Redbud Pods

Fleshy Fruits with a fleshy pericarp. Ex: Crabapple, Viburnum, Dogwood, Callery Pear and Serviceberry.

Fleshy Viburnum Drupes Callery Pear Pomes

Seed Collection and Handling

Dry – Indehiscent Fruits Hand Collect Fruit Purchase Seed (Sheffields, NY state) Dry and de-wing (if necessary) Store and plant later Provide necessary seed treatments Sow

Dry – Dehiscent Fruits Hand Collect Fruit Purchase Seed Dry; allow fruits to split open Separate seed from fruit Store and plant later Provide necessary seed treatments Sow

Fleshy Fruits Hand Collect Fruit Purchase Seed Maceration Flotation or Fermentation to separate seed from fruit Dry Store and plant later Provide necessary seed treatments Sow

Seed Storage

2 Kinds of Seed Short-lived seed. Medium to long-lived seed.

Short-lived Seed Remains viable in storage for 1 year or less. Ex: Poplar, Maple, Willow, Elm, Hickory, Birch, Oak, Beech, Walnut and Buckeye. Storage: High Humidity/Low Temperatures

Medium to Long-lived Seed Remains viable in storage for 1 year or longer. In some cases 15 or more years. Ex: Most conifers, fruit trees, vegetables, flowers, grains, legumes, geranium and morning glory. Storage: Low Humidity/Low Temperatures

Outdoor Commercial Seeding

Successful seeding depends upon the following… Good quality seed (viable). Overcoming seed dormancies. Providing the proper environment for seed germination. Proper temperature Moisture Aeration (oxygen)

Steps in preparing an outdoor seedbed for spring planting… #1 Prepare a raised bed about 4 feet wide.

Raised Bed for Seed Sowing

#2 Bed sanitation. Methyl bromide (fumigant) Vapam (granular-activated by water) Basamid (granular-activated by water) After sanitation it is critical that the beds be allowed to “air-out” several days prior to seed sowing.

Robert Anderson, USDA Forest Service Laying plastic for fumigation using Methyl Bromide of forestry nursery seed bed Robert Anderson, USDA Forest Service

#3 Sow the seed. Broadcast Rows Weed control issues.

#4 Roll the seed. Good seed-to-soil contact. More even germination. Un-rolled seedbed Rolled seedbed

#5 Cover seeds with coarse sand. Helps eliminate problems associated with damping-off.

#6 Provide light shade. Helps reduce transpiration. Eventually remove shade and acclimate seedlings to brighter/drier conditions.

Hoops can be used to provide support for shade cloth

#7 Maintain moisture! Never let the seed bed dry out. Use frequent, light irrigations to maintain moisture.

#8 Provide proper aftercare. Continued watering Fertilization Weed control

The End