Thank you to the Calgary Horticultural Society for collaborating in the production of the following video “Starting Native Plants from Seed.” In this video, you will learn how to apply cold moist stratification and scarification to seeds to break dormancy and initiate germination.
Glossary
Imbibe: when a seed embryo and endosperm absorb water
Scarification: weakening, opening, or otherwise altering the coat of a seed to encourage germination e.g. abrading a seed coat with sandpaper
Stratification: a process of pre-treating seeds to simulate natural conditions that seeds would experience in the soil over winter e.g. putting seeds in moist sand in the fridge for several months, mimicking the natural cold and moisture outdoors
