Читать книгу Home Gardener's Propagation (UK Only) - David Squire - Страница 45

Seeds can be grouped into six main types, and this has an influence on the way they should be sown.

• Dust-like: These very fine seeds soon lose their ability to germinate, and therefore are best sown while fresh. They include seeds of Begonia and Meconopsis. You need only press them into the surface of the compost.

• Hard-coated: Lathyrus odoratus (Sweet Pea) is an example; crimson and purple-coloured varieties have especially hard-coated seeds. To encourage rapid germination, chip the hard coat with a sharp knife on the side of the seed opposite the ‘eye’ (a process called ‘scarification’).

• Fleshy seeds: Seeds of some vegetables, such as beans and garden peas, have fleshy seeds; encourage germination by soaking them in water for a day or two before sowing. Aesculus hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut), Castanea sativa (Sweet Chestnut) and Quercus (Oaks) have fleshy seeds.

• Oily seeds: These include Magnolia seeds, and they soon lose their ability to germinate; you should sow them immediately after gathering.

• Winged seeds: Trees such as Acer pseudoplatanus (Sycamore), Fraxinus (Ash) and Tilia (Lime) have winged seeds; you can remove the ‘wings’ when you are cleaning them, and sow the seeds in the normal way.

• Plumed seeds: These include Erigeron and Scabiosa (Scabious); sometimes, if the plume is still present, they can be difficult to sow at the desired depth.