Hi, we live in Vermont and typically propagate a lot of different types of plants using willow water as a natural root growing stimulant. I was thinking about the less than desirable germination rates that are associated with hot peppers and wondered if a pre soaking of seeds in willow water might enhance germination rates and stimulate more root growth? Has anyone done this type of experiment?
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seeds Methods of increasing germination rates
- Thread starter VThot
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Hi, my germination rates have increased since I sterilized the seeds for 20 minutes in a 9:1 water:bleach solution, followed by washing and soaking for 24 hours in water. I think one of the secrets is to have an environment that is as sterile as possible. I treat each seed with instruments sterilized in hydrogen peroxide. So presoaking it in water should still be a good thing, but I don't know about willow water... can it be sterilized? just thinking...
Based on your observations with using hydrogen peroxide I am wondering if the indolebutyrie and salicylic acids have a similar effect as a rooting hormone when propagating cuttings and would aid in providing a sterile environment. I think I may do a couple experiments planting seeds in the next couple weeks and see if using willow water has any noticeable impact.
Plant hormones stimulate growth, while hydrogen peroxide (and others, such as chlorine) disinfect the seed by killing microorganisms on the seed surface, and so decrease the risk of disease. Hydrogen peroxide also can promote germination by interacting with cellular signaling networks (good if you have old seeds, for instance). AFAIK, plant hormones don't provide a sterile environment. I guess much depends on the growing conditions of your environment, but for me, living in the tropics, skipping external decontamination leads to guaranteed failure
You mention germination rates, which is a different than time to germinate, a common complaint with hot peppers. Gibberellic acid (a plant hormone) is commonly used to speed up seed germination by breaking seed dormancy and is sterile. However, use of GA is based on the correct amount for the application, i.e., more is not necessarily better.
Willow water is commonly used to improve rooting of cuttings by providing an external source of rooting hormones. While it might simulate root growth, I'm not sure how much affect it would have on success or timing of germination. Sometimes overstimulating one thing comes at a cost of resources available to another, which can lead to slowdowns or system failure.
As far as better germination rates, I consider sterile/sanitary conditions and maintaining proper heat and moisture levels as most significant. The responses above both focus on minimizing pathogens, which to me is what really matters with slower seeds. If a seed is fresh and strong, it's going to power through many pathogens and tend to germinate quickly and without issue. Older, weaker seed may be viable, but grow more slowly, allowing pathogens time to proliferate, which means a seed that might otherwise survive may succumb prior to breaking the surface. I think a lot of seed failure is due to this.
It would be cool to see what affect willow water had on germination and early growth. It wouldn't be hard to soak a seed in it and see what happened. Just maybe not a rare "last seed" of some fancy variety
Willow water is commonly used to improve rooting of cuttings by providing an external source of rooting hormones. While it might simulate root growth, I'm not sure how much affect it would have on success or timing of germination. Sometimes overstimulating one thing comes at a cost of resources available to another, which can lead to slowdowns or system failure.
As far as better germination rates, I consider sterile/sanitary conditions and maintaining proper heat and moisture levels as most significant. The responses above both focus on minimizing pathogens, which to me is what really matters with slower seeds. If a seed is fresh and strong, it's going to power through many pathogens and tend to germinate quickly and without issue. Older, weaker seed may be viable, but grow more slowly, allowing pathogens time to proliferate, which means a seed that might otherwise survive may succumb prior to breaking the surface. I think a lot of seed failure is due to this.
It would be cool to see what affect willow water had on germination and early growth. It wouldn't be hard to soak a seed in it and see what happened. Just maybe not a rare "last seed" of some fancy variety
Bou
eXtreme
As a side note: we have an abundance of coconuts, and coconut water is known to be rich in gibberellic acid. The last time I checked - years ago really - gibberellic acid sold by Sigma-Aldrich stated it was isolated from coconut. So I thought, wouldn't it be a good idea to soak seeds in coconut water. Chop the coconut with a machete and remove its contents, easy peasy. However, I ended up with a fermented liquid in less than an hour.
You say that like it's a bad thing
Uncontrolled fermentation? Yes, although very recommended if you want to taste Moctezuma's Revenge, lol. . We have tepache, made from pineapple rind.
i wonder if the willow water would have a positive effect if you were using the paper-towel/coffee filter germination method, so that once the hook emerges the exposed root would be strengthened/accelerated by the willow water while it remains in the wet paper-towel.
As far as better germination rates, I consider sterile/sanitary conditions and maintaining proper heat and moisture levels as most significant. The responses above both focus on minimizing pathogens, which to me is what really matters with slower seeds. If a seed is fresh and strong, it's going to power through many pathogens and tend to germinate quickly and without issue. Older, weaker seed may be viable, but grow more slowly, allowing pathogens time to proliferate, which means a seed that might otherwise survive may succumb prior to breaking the surface. I think a lot of seed failure is due to this.
It would be cool to see what affect willow water had on germination and early growth. It wouldn't be hard to soak a seed in it and see what happened. Just maybe not a rare "last seed" of some fancy variety
I 100% agree that proper (or even consistent heat) and moisture are key. Also worth noting is the seed quality. If crappy seeds I'm not sure your going to increase that germ rate much. I've had amazing success with my process of getting the seeds from some place/someone I trust and soaking overnight in a cup - starting in lukewarm tap water. (as Ahayastani mentions above must help me keep diseases down). I've had issues with certain seeds not coming up - but usually it was from a new source or in one case older seeds. I am an oddity as I do not use heat mats and/or extra heat either and still get well over 90-94% germination rates. My seeds go from soaking in water overnight to planted in seed trays to my shelving units inside (we keep house at 65 Fahrenheit during day and 60 at night). I shouldn't have that much success but it works
That being said, I'm very curious on the different ways to soak. I plan on keeping better notes to see how well I do this year on germ rates. I start my superhots this weekend... loved reading this post!
Bou
eXtreme
Overnight soak in peroxide solution (10ml 3% peroxide in 500ml water) and the use of a heat mat connected to a temperature controller (to avoid cooking your seeds, because yes that could happenI 100% agree that proper (or even consistent heat) and moisture are key. Also worth noting is the seed quality. If crappy seeds I'm not sure your going to increase that germ rate much. I've had amazing success with my process of getting the seeds from some place/someone I trust and soaking overnight in a cup - starting in lukewarm tap water. (as Ahayastani mentions above must help me keep diseases down). I've had issues with certain seeds not coming up - but usually it was from a new source or in one case older seeds. I am an oddity as I do not use heat mats and/or extra heat either and still get well over 90-94% germination rates. My seeds go from soaking in water overnight to planted in seed trays to my shelving units inside (we keep house at 65 Fahrenheit during day and 60 at night). I shouldn't have that much success but it works
loved reading this post!
) has dramatically increased my germination speed and success.