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TIL: liquid smoke can be used for fire-adapted seeds (lemmy.today)
submitted 4 days ago by to c/gardening@lemmy.world
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Got some Coulter's Matilija Poppy seeds a while back from a native seed supplier and I know they are difficult to germinate, so have been looking at various guides. Saw many references to exposing them to smoke from pine needles/etc. Finally came across one that recommended liquid smoke as an alternative (as long as it is just water and "smoke").

Anybody have experience using liquid smoke for helping seeds germinate? (or real smoke)

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[–] 8 points 4 days ago* (5 children)

It really depends on what sort of seeds you're trying to germinate.

Some require the heat of a fire before they can germinate, some require chemical signals, which liquid smoke could theoretically supply.

But I'd be careful, food grade liquid smoke can have all sorts of food additives.

Edit; A minute searching and I found this, not read it yet. https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/4/927

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  • [–] [S] 2 points 3 days ago

    I found the idea for the poppies from this page: (was looking for alternatives to burning pine needles to smoke the seeds)

    https://gardenpedia.blog/matilija-poppy-seeds-germination-guide

    Dilute the liquid smoke in a ratio of 1:10 with distilled water. Submerge the matilija poppy seeds in the solution for a full 24-hour cycle to ensure the liquid penetrates the dense outer shell.

    This soaking period acts as a chemical scarification, softening the lignified exterior while simultaneously delivering the growth hormones directly to the embryo. The results of this treatment are statistically significant for any serious grower.

    I did find some mesquite liquid smoke that is just distilled water with the smoke "essence". When I checked online for the one I purchased, I did see somebody in the reviews mention that they used it for seeds.

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  • [–] 1 point 3 days ago* (2 children)

    why would food addarives be a concern?

    genuine ignorant question on my part

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    • [–] 3 points 4 days ago

    I saw a "how it's made"-style video one about liquid smoke, and it is essentially like blowing smoke into a bottle half-filled with water, and then shaking the bottle (they actually did that to illustrate)

    I don't know if it works for germinating seeds, i'm just commenting this in case someone wants to try making liquid smoke, hoping they will post pictures of their "blow smoke into a bottle and shake it"-thing. That sound like a dope thing.

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