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Storage characteristics

Recalcitrant 

Storage moisture content and temperature

Store moist @ 4 °C

Dormancy characteristics

Deep

Efficacy of pretreatment / remarks

Generally effective although pretreatment durations, and numbers of repeat cycles may vary significantly between seedlots

Approximate date to initiate artificial pretreatment (for 1 March sowing) 6 December

Storage characteristics

Recalcitrant – seeds that cannot be dried or frozen and are therefore short-lived.

Pretreatment method

Figures in brackets indicate that different seedlots often require different pretreatment durations. There are three potential courses of action:

  • Adhere to the pretreatment duration in bold, with the knowledge that the maximum potential germination of the seedlot may be sacrificed for the sake of simplicity.
  • Inspect the pretreating seed regularly. Sow when c. 10 % of seed is chitted, with the hope that this is indicative that the remaining seeds are now close to germination.
  • Inspect the pretreating seed regularly. At suitable intervals, remove chitted seeds (by hand, flotation, and/or sieving). Sow chitted seeds and return balance to pretreatment until no more seeds germinate.

Practice Guide

Raising Trees and Shrubs from Seed (PDF-648 KB)

Forestry Commission Practice Guide 18.

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