My invention

catjac1975

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So, Cat, you put the seeds in the can and use a pestle or wooden dowel to scrape them on the sandpaper?
No...shake, shake, shake. I did my artichoke seeds. But their seed coat is not as tough as daylilies. They are now soaking and are softening. They too can have a poor germination.
 

catjac1975

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Have you ever used a hormone in the seed water such as giberillic acid or a rooting hormone like indole acetic acid? Being acids they also tend to prevent fungus while promoting germination.
I think I tried aspirin once. Then I read it could kill the seed. I can't remember the outcome, but I did not do it again.
 

Dirtmechanic

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I think I tried aspirin once. Then I read it could kill the seed. I can't remember the outcome, but I did not do it again.
Yes it is a little known detail that while aspirin show some evidence it acts like an auxin, it also shows properties related to abscission. Basically its pretty potent, and I can imagine a tender root being blunted by a strong acid. Given how potent hormones are and the labels saying use small amounts like 1\4 tsp per gallon, I could also imagine crushing 2-4 aspirin into a gallon as being toxic. It most definitely will kill off powdery mildew in my garden until the rain washes the white residue off the plants.
 

catjac1975

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teg artichoke.jpg
My seed nicking invention seems to have increased germination time and rate on my artichoke seeds. I always overprlant and it seems that was unnecessary. So far so good.
 

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