How to Tell if Tree Seeds Are Viable
Gardeners who wish to germinate trees from seeds they've collected, bought from a catalog, or gotten from a friend may not know how many of the seeds will be viable. When working with seeds from unverifiable sources, it's best to test the seeds for viability than to go to the trouble of planting them only to realize you've lavished your care, time, and attention on duds that must be extracted and replaced. Fortunately, there are several simple methods of testing seed viability.
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Instructions
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Float Test
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Fill the bucket or sink 3/4 full with water. If using a sink, cover the drain with a rubber dish mat or some other barrier to ensure the seeds don't fall down the drain.
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Pour your seeds into the bucket or sink. Swish them around with your hand to remove any air bubbles from the surface of the water, then leave the seeds undisturbed for about 15 minutes.
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3
Separate the seeds into three piles---those that floated on the water's surface, those that stayed suspended in the middle of the water, and those that sank to the bottom. Those seeds that sank will be the most viable, those suspended may or may not grow (try a germination test on these), and those that floated will be the least viable.
Germination Test
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Lightly moisten a square of paper towel. The towel should be damp, but not dripping wet. Lay the towel out on a flat surface, such as a workbench or table.
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Place five to six seeds in a row across half the paper towel. Fold the other half lightly over the seeds and place the towel and seeds into a plastic zip-top bag.
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Label the zip-top bag with the type of tree seeds and the current date. Place the zip-top bag in a warm place, such as the top of your refrigerator.
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7
Check the seeds every day or so. Some species can take up to a month to germinate, while others will sprout much faster. All the seeds should sprout within two to three days of each other. If none sprout within a month, your batch of seeds is most likely not viable. If some sprout while others do not, extrapolate a ratio of viable-to-non-viable seeds. If two out of five seeds sprout, for instance, only 2/5 of your batch is likely to be viable.
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Tips & Warnings
Extremely light seeds, such as strawberry bush seeds, may float on the surface of the water during a float test due to surface tension. These light seeds should be tested via the germination method, or you may throw away viable seeds by mistake.
Do not place the germination test zip-top bag in direct sunlight, as this will create a greenhouse effect in the bag, which may be detrimental to germination.
