How to Stratify Moonflower Seeds
A tropical, frost-sensitive perennial vine from South America, the moonflower (Ipomoea alba) is often grown as a summertime annual. Its large morning glory-like white flowers open at dusk and are fragrant, pollinated by moths. If not killed by winter cold, the moonflower vine grows anywhere from 15 to 70 feet tall. Grow moonflowers from seed starting in late spring as these plants relish warmth. The need a sunny location in a fertile, moist but well-drained soil. The vines look their best when not exposed to chilly or drying winds. Moonflower seeds don't need stratifying with cold temperatures, but they do need scarifying. Roughing the hard seed coats permits moisture to penetrate into and awaken the plant embryo and softens the seed for sprouting. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Pour the moonflower seeds out of their packet onto a paper towel or other coarse-textured cloth. This prevents seeds from rolling across the smooth surface of the work space.
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Nick the outer black seed coat of each seed with a razor blade held firmly in your finger tips. Do not cut the seed in half---you aim to only scratch off the hard, protective coat. Chip off thin layers until you finally see a minute opening to expose the light colored under-layer.
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Rub two pieces of fine-textured sandpaper together over the moonflower seed if you're uncomfortable using a razor blade or paring knife to nick the seed coat. Scratch the seed coat with the sandpaper to diminish the coat's thickness in one area on the seed. There's no need to continue scarifying to expose the plant embryo inside.
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Soak the scarified moonflower seeds in a shallow bowl in 1/2 inch of room temperature water overnight. This hydrates the seed, as the nick or scratching in the hard seed coat allows the moisture to further soften the seed, and helps the germinating embryo emerge. After soaking, immediately sow the seed in warm, moist soil, according to "The American Gardener," the publication of the American Horticultural Society.
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Tips & Warnings
If you go to all the trouble to scarify moonflower seeds, make sure you plant them in warm soil for good germination---soils warmer than 65 degrees F.
The seeds of moonflower are poisonous so do not allow children to eat them while you soak them or are stratifying them on the work table. Discard seed fragments into the garbage.
