Protocol for germinating Korean Hornbeam seeds?

[BigAbs321]

Hello,

I recently purchased some Korean Hornbeam (Carpinus turczaninovii) seeds and was wondering if anyone here has successfully germinated them. The instructions say to scarify first: is this with the same hot water soak used for Trident Maple and Japanese Black Pine seeds for 24 hours to look for sinkers? The steps also mention a warm stratification period, which I’ve never tried before. Do you guys have any tips for preventing fungal growth? I was planning on putting the seeds in a baggy with sphagnum moss moistened with water and some hydrogen peroxide. Any input would be welcome, thanks!

 

[bonsaibandit]

This document has some recommendations for how to perform stratification with steps to prevent fungal issues. I have not tried it yet but also picked up some Korean hornbeam seeds and plan to try it.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0283/4877/6541/files/SEED_STRATIFICATION_ed8cc27c-fdd1-4600-8565-8a1fd5728be0.pdf?v=1724161801

Also per sheffields seeds:

- Price per 1 packet

If you're looking for a bonsai tree with naturally small leaves, look no further than Carpinus turczaninovii - commonly known as Korean hornbeam. This species is lauded by experts as one of the best for bonsai, thanks to its petite foliage and flexible na

sheffields.com

 

[Kievnstavick]

I have had success growing Korean Hornbeams that I have purchased from Sheffields.

The first year, I planted the seeds in a seedling tray inside my garage to satisfy the warm stratification and then I brought them outside during the winter months for the cold stratification. I forget how much I actually planted at that point, but I did get 9 seeds to germinate that spring.

This year I plan on scratching them like I have done to other seeds with hard shells (sandpaper for the small ones until I break through the coat. Concave cutters make quick work of the larger ones.) Afterwards, I'll soak them in a kelp humic acid mix for 24 hours. If I feel like mixing a batch, maybe use a GA3 mixture to break down the seed coat.

Either way, the point of stratification and scarification is to break down the inhibitors to allow water to penetrate the seed and signal to the embryo that it is time to grow. So however you decide to go about it either through natural or mechanical means will probably work.

 

[bonsaibandit]

what temp was your garage for the warm stratification? They suggest 68-86 degrees F for the warm stratification but I was debating just starting it now in my house at room temp which is about 60-65

 

[Kievnstavick]

what temp was your garage for the warm stratification? They suggest 68-86 degrees F for the warm stratification but I was debating just starting it now in my house at room temp which is about 60-65

It was about 65 during the day and 50 at night since it was done in the late fall.

I don't see why you couldn't just start them in the house then put them outside once the warm period has occurred plus a couple days for good measure. Then putting them outside for the cold period during the winter as that was what I pretty much did.

 

[TomP]

I have had good germination for Korean hornbeams. I warm stratify inside a dark closet at home and then cold stratify in a refrigerator. I just keep in a plastic bag with a damp papertowel and it seems to work well. I have also used damp vermiculite with good success. I have not had fungus issues with either of those but have had fungal issues when I used an organic like peat.

 

[bwaynef]

I've had good luck with perlite, plus it makes it easy to see the seeds. Warm/Cold stratification tends to yield some mold/fungus growth for me, but Perlite + a peroxide soak seems to help.

 

[BigAbs321]

I have had good germination for Korean hornbeams. I warm stratify inside a dark closet at home and then cold stratify in a refrigerator. I just keep in a plastic bag with a damp papertowel and it seems to work well. I have also used damp vermiculite with good success. I have not had fungus issues with either of those but have had fungal issues when I used an organic like peat.

Hey thanks for the response? What temperature were the seeds sitting at generally during warm stratification?

 

[TomP]

Hey thanks for the response? What temperature were the seeds sitting at generally during warm stratification?

Room temperature in a dark closet--so maybe 70 degrees F

 

[BigAbs321]

Room temperature in a dark closet--so maybe 70 degrees F

Got it, thanks!

 

[Dadayama]

I also got some Korean Hornbeam seeds this year. I have them in a small container that I cut the bottom out and installed mesh. I put them in my seed starting material and them on a heating pad with a group of cuttings that I have going in the garage. My plan for the cold portion is to put the same container in the refrigerator. Then when that time is up I'll put them back on the seed starting area with a heating mat and grow light until safe to move outside in the spring.

I'll try to remember to check in here on this thread if I have any success.

 

[BigAbs321]

For those who have had success with germinating seeds, how long do you warm stratify for? I'm not sure whether 30 or 60 days is better, so I wanted to double check prior to beginning cold stratification. Thanks