Smoke Seed Primer is ideal for treating seeds of Banksia, Leucospermum, Musa, Protea, Stenocarpus and Strelitzia.
Many wildflower seeds are dormant and need very specific conditions for germination. The Smoke Seed Primer solution contains a combination of natural substances that overcome dormancy and stimulate seed germination. The degree of germination success varies with the species, but on average, treated seeds give at least twice the number of seedlings that untreated seeds do.
Some seeds grow in the wild only after forest fire. In 1990, researchers realised that the chemicals in smoke from fires (and not just the heat of the fire) was responsible for breaking seed dormancy and stimulating germination.
In this invention absorbent paper is impregnated with fynbos-smoke-saturated water. The paper is dried and sealed in a polythene packet. You add some water to the paper in a suitable container and soak the seeds in the smoke-water solution for 24 hours. In order to have the maximum effect in breaking seed dormancy, a range of natural germination stimulators has been added to the smoke solution to overcome other forms of seed dormancy found in many species such as the Strelitzia.
Each 1/2 disk is thus enough to make up to 25 ml of solution and thus treat about 50 large seeds.
Each disk is thus enough to make up to 50 ml of solution and thus treat about 100 large seeds.