Experiment

[McClements, Jim]

AEGrs

Over the few years that I've been growing arisaemas there has been a lot of
discussion about whether seed (of arisaemas) keeps its viability better if it
is stored in the berry and/or refrigerated.

In an effort to shed light on this question, last December I took recently
collected seeds of A. sikokianum and divided them into four groups for 6
months storage, as follows:

1. In berry at room temperature, in paper envelope.
2. Out of berry at room temperature, in paper envelope.
3. In berry, refrigerated, in glassine envelope.
4. Out of berry, refrigerated, in glassine envelope.

In mid June the berries were soaked overnite to soften the pulp and seeds
removed from the berry. All seeds were then cleansed by soaking thirty
minutes in a glass of water with a drop or two of "Dawn" detergent added,
followed by a thorough rinsing in a fine strainer.

Twenty seeds of each group were then placed in damp paper towels at room
temperature (a la Deno).

Seeds in all four groups began showing root development in 10-12 days, and by
15 days, each batch had enough evidence of germination to indicate that there
appears to be no significant difference in them. They've been planted in wet
turface as of today.

This species is a ready germinator, and the results might be different for a
period longer than six months, so perhaps we can't draw sweeping conclusions.
But unless someone can come up with contrary evidence, not just the usual
hearsay handed down for generations, I'm not going to worry about keeping
seeds in or out of the berry.

Comments?

Jim McClements