Ilex opaca

Seeds Type

Orthodox, that is to say seeds with the capability to withstand desiccation and freezing temperatures (-20°C) and may therefore be conserved for years, if not decades.

For germination, you must...

1. allow FOUR MONTHS for seed treatment;
2. subject them to a scarification AND a warm stratification, THEN a cold stratification, before sowing (follow the steps below in order).

Scarification : Soak the pyrenes in water at room temperature for 24 hours.
Stratification (warm and cold) : Place the pyrenes in a bag (Ziploc Slider type) containing slightly premoistened peat moss. Seeds should be surrounded by the latter. Close the bag and place it at room temperature for about two months, then in cool storage (between 1°C and 5°C) for approximately two months. Some authors advise to let the seeds at room temperature for a year, then in cool storage for three months... We don't know a lot about this species.
Seedlings : Remove the content from the bag and sow the pyrenes by broadcasting the mix on the growth medium. Bury the seeds lightly, less than five millimeters from the soil surface.

⚠ Hard to germinate ⚠

Seeds from this species have a combinational dormancy. Endocarp walls are thick and impervious to water (physical dormancy). Embryo’s growth, inside the seed, is prevented by its immaturity (morphological dormancy). Embryo’s maturation progresses as the stratification takes place. Germination may occur several months after sowing. It’s important to not throw seeds away if they didn’t germinate after the first attempt. Repeating all the germination process could be necessary.