Raising Pelargoniums from Seed by the Sprouting method.  

 Cliff Blackman, Victoria, Australia

Introduction

This is about a method to start the germination process that will get your Pelargonium seeds to sprout prior to planting them into a seed-raising medium. The advantage is, that nearly all-viable seed will germinate within 7 days from the time the process is started, giving more control on when you have your seedlings growing. It also minimises the time and effort used on the non-viable seed – because these individuals will be identified at an early stage.  

The procedure

Scratch the seed case on a vertically central line, on the rounded side (cotyledon side), starting from a point as far as possible near to the bottom point and continuing to the top centre point of the seed. (Diagram A)  Scratch sufficiently to get through the hard skin, but try not to go deeper. It is easier to control the seed for scratching if it is held on moistened paper towel.  It doesn’t slip around as much.   Diagram A

Keep shaded and within a temperature range of 21 to 24 degrees Celsius. The higher temperature is preferable.

The scratched seeds usually become swollen within 3 hours of saturation and the seed case will commence to split open where it was scratched. If a seed has not swollen and split, it may be because the scratch was not deep enough to allow moisture penetration. At this point, it may need a very sharp needle to lightly scratch the softened seed case.  

Alternatively, test the seed case, if it is still rock hard, then re-scratch a little harder and deeper.

Maintain moisture level -- do not allow the absorbent paper to dry out.

After each inspection, use the hand spray for rinsing the seed, tip out surplus water – the seeds do not fall out.  -- Re-set as in Diagram C.

After 24 hours.  Carefully fold open each side of the seed case where split, so that there is no restriction to the swelling of the seed or to its growth movement.  

After 48 hours, the seed case should be removed - Some seeds need to have this further coaxing to trigger a germination response -- given by the removal of their seed case.  After some practice this becomes much easier.  Spray the naked seed with clean water and re-set as in Diagram C.   Rinse these seeds at least twice daily to wash off any toxins that may develop. This can be done easily by giving each germinating seed a watering from a hand spray.  

Twice daily inspect for growth and moisture level

After about 3 days the growth of the radicle will be noticeable on some

Any non-viable seed will quickly become soft and putrid. An unmistakable odour that you will need to get rid of.   

              Photos by Cliff Blackman

Planting the sprouted seed

When the rootlet is about 15mm long and the seed leaves are opening out, the seedling can be potted up in a pasteurised seed raising mixture.

After filling the pot with soil, water the soil/medium and dibble a hole just prior to transferring the sprouted seed. Gently close the medium onto the rootlet.  The medium around the rootlet can be finally closed around the radical with the help of a few squirts from the hand spray.

During the last 12 years, 99% of my 3500 seedlings have been started with the Scratch Method.  This method has given good results but does require extra care and patience.

Cautions

Experiment with some less important seed first.

Do not use this scratch method for planting seeds in the traditional way

All images are © the photographer