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Caceres, mid west of Spain

I made several tests with the same seeds in order to determine differences between file edge seeds germinating process and unfiled ones.

I know the theory that a faster uptake of water and an easier uncurl of the seed coat can come of this practice, and that most of heavyhitters do it, but everything is questionable and...

I have to conclude that I haven't found big differences at all, and if I have, they are in favour of the unfiled seeds. They look stronger and as fast growing as the filed ones. Maybe to file them is a kind of stress.

Don

4/27/2003 2:22:21 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

I think it depends on HOW you file them. I think there's a fine line between not filing enough for good, and filing too much.
My germ tryouts showed me much quicker results when I filed to the second seed coat layer, soaked, and planted the seed on it's side. And of course, soaking in plant hormones and H2O2 seemed to give me stronger initial roots.

4/27/2003 6:12:36 AM

Usa

Hello,
I am trying the same experiment right now with seed filing.
The best experimental plant I have was not even filed. It is thicker and looks a lot healthier. But, I don't know if that was just that individual seed.
All the test seeds I used are from the same pumpkin.
The first test batch I filed more than the second test batch with 8 seeds I just planted. So I am curious about the answers you get also.

4/27/2003 6:31:22 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Carlos,
My most inconsistetresults were also with filing. But the quickest result were from filing too. Though at that time the heat I was using was too high. The last three tests have been either not been filed or just very little & all have been 100% succesful.
Kyle sent me some awesome photos including one of a filed seed with excellent resolution. Kyle, in that photo you had filed more agressively than I am now. How did that one go?
I'm a little "file shy" now.

4/27/2003 7:17:47 AM

North Ga

I used to file all my seeds, but what a hassle!! I read somewhere, I think it was from Len, that all he does is break off the tip where the taproot comes out. I've been doing that and I will never go back to filing. Much easier and better results for me.

4/27/2003 7:40:51 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

That seed was pushing dirt at 28 hours and was thru in 36. It had also had a 4 hour H2O2 soak followed by a 2 hour soak in PGR(1 tbsp per 1 gallon distilled water).
They've been in a cooler with hot water jugs and on a heating blanket...80-85 degrees inside.
I file down to the layer just above the inside of the seed, pretty close.
I'll try to upload that pic, plus the plants as of this morning, in my diary.

4/27/2003 7:48:48 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

The advantage I find by filing, a long and laborious process, is that the seed shell comes off quicker.
I like the idea of planting the seed on its side so the shell stays underground and doesn't harm the cotelydons.
I think harming the cotelydons might stunt the plant a bit.

But then again, there's many different ways to accomplish any job. The end result is all that matters.

4/27/2003 7:56:39 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

Pics are uploaded in my diary if anyone is curious, but have to be approved.

4/27/2003 8:19:03 AM

Caceres, mid west of Spain

I think I read about some guys, like Nic Welty or Tom Beachy, who did a lot of germinating experimentation. Would like to hear something about this subject from them.

Don

4/27/2003 2:47:18 PM

Caceres, mid west of Spain

I have new data tha make me say the opposite as I said at the beginning of this post. I took out the seedlings from the pots and watch to the roots. Found out the filed seeds to have a bigger root system than the unfiled ones. I didn't find differences in the cotiledons and leaves, but I did in the roots. That can be a point, of course.

Don

4/29/2003 12:41:17 AM

syracuse, ny

yes, indeed, a bigger root system early-on will be of great interest to us all---thanks for the observation!
(me, a month after the fact!)

5/28/2003 3:52:40 PM