Herbs Seed Pre-treatment Six Methods
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First, soaking: Seeds are soaked in various water temperatures—cold, warm, or alternating between cold and hot—depending on the type of herb. For example, guagui seeds should be soaked in warm water for 24 hours, while glutinous rice seeds require soaking in cold water for one to two days before being selected and placed in boiling water. Once all the seeds are submerged, the sieve is quickly lifted to heat. After cooling, the process is repeated. Finally, rinse the seeds with cool water until the water runs clear. This method helps prevent diseases like smut in glutinous rice.
Second, sun drying: Spread the seeds thinly on bamboo mats or similar materials to dry. The drying time varies depending on seed characteristics and ambient temperature. Drying helps kill germs, reduce disease incidence, and improve germination rates.
Third, sand stratification: Place a layer of moist sand in a container, then sprinkle a thin layer of seeds, cover with more wet sand, and repeat. This method is ideal for medicinal seeds with long dormancy periods or those that require warmth to germinate.
Fourth, refrigeration: Some medicinal seeds, such as gentian and northern sea cucumber, need cold treatment to break dormancy. Before sowing, these seeds should be stored in moist sand and kept at 0–5°C to promote smooth germination.
Fifth, breaking the seed coat: For seeds with thick, hard shells, mechanical methods like rubbing can help break the coat, improving germination. For example, licorice and Eucommia seeds benefit from this technique. Seeds with waxy coats, like Astragalus and Peony, can be rubbed with fine sand and then soaked in warm water (35–40°C) for about 24 hours. Larger seeds can also be cut or have their pods removed to aid germination.
Sixth, soaking in human urine: Soaking medicinal seeds in diluted human urine can enhance germination. There are two common methods:
1. Soak selected seeds in 50% decomposed human urine for 6–8 hours, then sow them with plant ash.
2. Soak the seeds in 50% decomposed urine for 4 hours.
Precautions:
(1) Soaking time should be adjusted based on the strength of the urine, seed size, and maturity.
(2) Do not soak seeds after they have started to germinate.
(3) Avoid using undiluted or immature human urine, as it may harm the seeds.
These traditional techniques, passed down through generations, are still widely used today due to their effectiveness in enhancing seed viability and promoting healthy plant growth.