cold-stratification

[David Kipps]

Are there any citrus that benefit from cold-stratification for the sake of improved germination?  Do they all have their best germination from planting the seeds right out of the fruit?

[kumin]

I've sown Poncirus seed with and without stratification. There may be a slight advantage to accelerate the initial germination process, but I haven't seen great advantages. However, under ideal temperatures, I've noticed some root development under stratification, as well as seed coat breakdown. Seed coat removal may minimize this effect.

[poncirsguy]

I remove seed coatings

[cassowary]

Would it be beneficial to remove seed coating in Citrus sp. too??

[Millet]

The seed will germinate either way.  If the seed coat is removed the seed will germinate faster.

[Newbgrower]

I've sown Poncirus seed with and without stratification. There may be a slight advantage to accelerate the initial germination process, but I haven't seen great advantages. However, under ideal temperatures, I've noticed some root development under stratification, as well as seed coat breakdown. Seed coat removal may minimize this effect.

I harvested some wild poncirus in october, got like 50 seeds, so far not a single one has germinated. I tried different methods, wet paper = green coloring. Tried with and without shell.
Right now i am trying the cold stratification method in wet coco coir. I also tried regular sowing last year without success.

Any tips on germinating poncirus?

[BorisR]

Newbgrower,
At what temperature do you keep your seeds? If the temperature is close to 20°C (68°F) or even higher, then something is wrong, the seeds should have already germinated. I sowed about a hundred poncirus seeds on October 20, and about 25 seedlings have already sprouted. They are at a temperature of 18°C (64°F).


(Spigel-Roy & Goldschmidt. The Biology of Citrus, 1996, page 49)

[Newbgrower]

Newbgrower,
At what temperature do you keep your seeds? If the temperature is close to 20°C (68°F) or even higher, then something is wrong, the seeds should have already germinated. I sowed about a hundred poncirus seeds on October 20, and about 25 seedlings have already sprouted. They are at a temperature of 18°C (64°F).


(Spigel-Roy & Goldschmidt. The Biology of Citrus, 1996, page 49)

Yes i did it was arround indoor temperature of ~20-25°C. (i always notice bad smell with these seeds after one week.)
For now i put 25seeds in refrigirator (where i would put my vegetables, not freezing).I will wait 2 weeks and attempt again with those.
Even to be sure, i only picked up fruits that were on the ground.
(By the way, i was always able to germinate any type of citrus, except poncirus...)

[BorisR]

You need to figure out what you're doing wrong. Probably the seeds either dry out or rot from waterlogging. Dig up some planted seeds and examine them. What's inside? Have they turned into jelly?

[kumin]

I've sown Poncirus seed with and without stratification. There may be a slight advantage to accelerate the initial germination process, but I haven't seen great advantages. However, under ideal temperatures, I've noticed some root development under stratification, as well as seed coat breakdown. Seed coat removal may minimize this effect.

I harvested some wild poncirus in october, got like 50 seeds, so far not a single one has germinated. I tried different methods, wet paper = green coloring. Tried with and without shell.
Right now i am trying the cold stratification method in wet coco coir. I also tried regular sowing last year without success.

Any tips on germinating poncirus?

Several observations: unbuffered coconut coir may contain a high salt content and has killed a batch of seedlings for me. The salt can't be rinsed out and needs to be buffered.
The optimal germination temperature for Poncirus is 25°C (77°F). The presence of bad smells is indicative of decay. At optimum temperature germination can occur beginning at a bit over a week.
The seeds need adequate consistent moisture during germination as well as oxygen in the presence of suitable temperatures. The soil should never remain saturated, nor excessively dry.
If the seeds are exposed to lethal conditions no amount of subsequent ideal conditions will rescue the dead seeds.