Haworthia
A detailed introduction about the knowledge topic of Haworthia, a type of succulent plant, focusing on the viability of Haworthia (Twelve 卷) seeds. Let's explore this topic together next.
Haworthia seeds have been sown for three or four years, starting from the initial trial-and-error approach to now, having somewhat mastered the process, taking many detours along the way. There were lessons learned from thousands of seeds that did not germinate and the pain of an entire tray of seedlings "dissolving" in water. There has always been a desire to probe the viability of Haworthia seeds. Last year, there was an abundance of seeds, and with a busy sowing season, a large batch of seeds was not sown and was stored until September this year, providing an opportunity to observe the germination of aged seeds.
Previously, I had sown two-year-old seeds from abroad, which had an astonishing germination rate and vigor, even surpassing my own fresh seeds. However, there was always some doubt about whether the seeds given to me were truly aged. This time, I could finally observe my own aged seeds. The germination rate of aged seeds was not significantly different from that of fresh seeds, but after nearly a month, the size of the seedlings was almost the same, and the germination vigor was slightly lower. This generally conforms to the laws of nature, indicating that while aged seeds maintain their viability, their quality has certainly decreased.
Many flower friends have told me that their Haworthia seeds did not sprout in the first year after sowing, but did well the following year, which shows that Haworthia is actually very robust. Compared to seeds stored in a dry, refrigerated environment, seeds sown in soil and exposed to cold and heat still maintain their viability, which indeed speaks volumes. Therefore, for flower friends who encounter unsatisfactory germination rates when sowing Haworthia, it might be worth having a bit more patience.
The dormancy of fresh Haworthia seeds has been discussed by many flower friends before, and it has been proven to be non-existent. However, after a certain period of cold storage (not tested, so no quantitative data can be provided), the germination vigor of fresh seeds is significantly improved, which can be clearly noticed. The fact that seeds can be forced into a dormant state under external environmental stimuli, as evidenced by the germination in the following year, shows that without this, they would not survive the cold and heat.
After all the unnecessary talk, it boils down to two sentences.
1. Haworthia seeds can maintain their viability for at least one year after entering a dormant state, whether intentional or not.
2. Artificially inducing fresh Haworthia seeds into dormancy can improve their germination vigor when sown in the same year, resulting in more uniform seedlings and easier management.
The above is related to the viability issues of Haworthia (Twelve 卷) seeds, for reference by green plant enthusiasts, hoping to solve problems in green plant and flower management.