Deno’s Garden

Phytolacca americana

Genus Phytolacca

This source reports two treatments. Both are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 19, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on March 18, 2026.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Leach in running water

    Duration: 7 days

    Washed and cleaned daily for 7 days.

  3. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  5. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

about 12 months from start to sowing. Then 16 days to germinate.

70% germination in 5–16 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Phytolacca p. 193Public domain
Show the original text
Phytolacca (Phytolaccaceae). . P. americana seed was WC 7 d. Germination was best with seed DS 6 m at 70 or4O in 40-70(70-80% in 5-16 d). Germination failed for seed sown at 70(1% in 5th cycle) or for fresh seed in either 70- 40 or 40-70 treatment. Seed stored in the WC state or in the dried fruit gave the same results. GA-3 did not initiate germination at 70.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Phytolacca p. 193. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Very high Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 8, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Leach in running water

    Duration: 7 days

    Washed and cleaned daily for 7 days.

  3. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C

7 days from start to sowing. Germination time not stated; 21 days assumed.

1% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Phytolacca p. 193Public domain
Show the original text
Phytolacca (Phytolaccaceae). . P. americana seed was WC 7 d. Germination was best with seed DS 6 m at 70 or4O in 40-70(70-80% in 5-16 d). Germination failed for seed sown at 70(1% in 5th cycle) or for fresh seed in either 70- 40 or 40-70 treatment. Seed stored in the WC state or in the dried fruit gave the same results. GA-3 did not initiate germination at 70.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Phytolacca p. 193. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.