Gibberellic Acid

[WaianaeCrider]

A friend who is in the "know" about sprouting rare native Hawaiian plant seeds suggested I use some to help sprout seeds I find in the wild.  Anyone ever use this on palm seeds?

[Yort]

Yes soak the seeds for one day in a GA3 solution can sometimes stimulate germination but using the right concentration is crucial. If the concentration is to high the palms may germinate but grow/stretch to death within weeks.

Fun to experiment with but don't use it on rare seeds that you value until you have some experience. 

[jimmyt]

@Yort  is correct.   Too little concentration does nothing and too much elongates and can kill the seedlings.  I have some 90% GA3 that I am using on some seed that has not germinated but may be still viable.  Unless you know the safe concentration for the species then I would start low.  Most sources quote 100 PPM as a safe concentration for most palms.  There are studies out there on different seeds(including palms) using GA3 and the germination effect.  I am gonna try it on some fresh palm seed too and do a small controlled comparison.   Essentially use it mainly on those seed with low or slow germination rates 

[WaianaeCrider]

The paper that comes w/it suggestes starting w/a 375 ppm.  So I did that w/some Veitchia joannis as my treeis pumping them out now.  It says to dampen a paper towel and then wrap the seeds in it and put in a dark warm place.  I have two in a tupper wear container in the coloset   Will check every other day and see what happens.

[jimmyt]

I am interested to see if this GA3 is going to give results as it should. 375 PPM should crank some engines! 

[jimmyt]

@WaianaeCrider Did you de-lid or scarify any seed?  I am going to try that to get past any seed coat impermeability.

[Jeff zone 8 N.C.]

Bump. Any good results with the GA3?

[WaianaeCrider]

6 hours ago, Jeff zone 8 N.C. said:

Bump. Any good results with the GA3?

Ya know I totally lost track.  Sorry, no idea what happened.    Old Age.  LOL