This is a simple experiment to find out the effect of a number of variables on the germination of fresh P. antioquiensis seed from New Zealand. All were sown on 24/10/01 with 3 seed in each category except the controls where there were one of each.. The dates entered (using UK convention of day/month) in the table above are when the seeds under any treatment germinates. The variables as indicated in the table above are:- Soaking in milk for 48 hours. MILK*
Soaking in P. edulis passion fruit juice for 48 hours. JUICE*
Damaging seed coat with sandpaper prior to soaking. SAND
No damage or soaking. Control. CONTROL
Room temperature. ROOM
Propagator with thermostat at 68f. (HEAT) In fact heat up to 29°C 85°F in the sun. * All presoaks were in the propagator so milk was curdled & juice fermenting within the 48 hours. Fresh milk typically has a pH of 6.6, as it curdles this reduces to about pH 4.5. Fresh passion fruit juice is surprisingly acidic, at pH 3.0 the same as vinegar. Conclusions As of 8/12/01 there have been no further seed up. My conclusions therefore from the results above are as follows:- P. antioquiensis is notoriously heat sensisive. Nevertheless seed will germinate at very high temperatures. There is no evidence that sanding encourages germination. There is some evidence that presoaking aids germination & that passion fruit juice may be better than milk. In summary for P.antioquiensis seed, both heat & presoaking may be of benefit. In fact although this was a tiny experiment its conclusions are broadly correct for most Passiflora seed. | 