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| Hello,
I have collected some sassafras seeds (Sassafras albidum). Any tips on germination? I was planning on planting them in pots now, and leaving them in an unheated garage over the winter, so they would get both warm and cold moist stratification. Is there any problem with removing the fleshy covering? Alex |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| I am going to do the same thing. I would not remove the skin from the berries though. They spread naturally with the berries as is. I would just sow the berries on some lightly disturbed soil, keep alittle moist and wait. I want to add mine to a area where weeds and yard border each other. They are great for fall color and smell. |
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| The flesh/pulp of most fruit/berries contains a germination inhibitor and is usually best removed. Those berries you have found sprouting naturally may have been passed through the digestive tract of a bird, or at the very least, exposed to rains, snow and melts, fluctuating temps to help to break down the protective coating on some - you will likely find better germination from cleaned seed. "Sassafras albidum: Seeds may be gathered when the fruits turn a dark blue. Seeds should be cleaned and stored at cool temperatures where they will last for up to two years. The seeds require prechilling for 120 days in order to germinate. Easiest - Sow the seeds outdoors in the late fall." |
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| I didn't realize that the seeds had anything stopping them from germinating when fresh. That is good to know. I see them close together in patches in the wild and didn't realize they need to be "processed" in the digestive tract of an animal first. How would a person copy the process? Soak in vinegar or water? I have bunny poo available if it needs a nitrogen source. |
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| Some seeds 'need' to be passed through the digestive system of a bird or animal, I suspect its more the caustic effect than the nitrogen, (the seed itself contains all the energy and nutrients it needs to germinate and sprout the seed leaves ) - and I don't think sassafras is one that requires it :) Being eaten that is. The main condition needed before they will germinate is the 4 months moist chill. FYI, the seeds are easier cleaned fresh than being allowed to dry with the pulp on, then later trying to extract seeds from hardened coating. And for those types seed that do need an acid treatment, a vinegar soak can be helpful for some, others would need something as strong as sulfuric acid (but happily rarely for something most of us would be sowing - it's particularly nasty to work with and would destroy most types seeds) Deno: Seed Germination Theory and Practice: |
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- Posted by gardener365 IL 5/6 (My Page) on Wed, Aug 29, 12 at 9:01
| Sassafras are very difficult. I concur they need to go thru the digestive system of birds. My advice is to scarify them when you're going to sow them (do remove the flesh asap) and simply wait...you probably won't get any germ until year two. Really, all being said and unless you need a whole bunch of trees, I'd personally recommend you buy one. Also, Sassafras don't like being transplanted. Good luck!! Dax |
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- Posted by alexander3 6 (My Page) on Wed, Aug 29, 12 at 11:15
| Thanks for the input everyone! I only want one or two, but I see a lot of variation in the color around here, even in side by side trees, so I thought I would start several, then select for color. Alex |
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| The no germination til yr 2 is a bit daunting, but I can try to put it near a bed of annuals or raised bed of veggies In otherb words see if I can successfully grow from seed etc. |
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| The winter-sowing technique is great for tree and shrub seeds, and after cleaning the seeds they can be sowed in covered pots or containers in the fall and put outside and then summarily ignored. In my zone at least, Mother nature will provide all the cold stratification that is needed. I love Sassafras - it's a primary host plant for the Spicebush Swallowtail, very cool caterpillars. Although I don't have any growing in my yard, it grows in nearby woodlands. Have thought about digging up a sucker and trying to transplant, but heard they rarely survive transplanting. |
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