What does it mean to "nick or cut" seed coat?

I have just bought a package of Morning Glory seeds.

the instructions say that I need to nick or file the seed coat then soak them. How do I go about this? they are very small. if I don't do this step am I wasting my time? the more info the better!

thanks

What does it mean to "nick or cut" seed coat?
The seed has a very hard shell and in nature would sit on the damp ground for some time which would soften this shell allowing germination. You need to mimic this affect by damaging the outside of the shell to allow the seed to take up water (imbibe) This procedure is known as scarification.

Simply rub the seed on a piece of fine sandpaper or line a glass jar with sandpaper, put the seeds in, put lid on and shake vigorously.
Reply:Some seeds need to have their seed coat "damaged" slightly in order for them to germinate because they have an unusually hard seed coat. As the previous guy said this is called scarification. In nature it happens by an animal eating the seed and then it is passed and germinates where ever it is dropped or it can happen in other manners.

I would say that morning glory seeds should germinate without scarification, at least some of them should. See the site below.
Reply:Some seeds have a tough seed coat that does not allow moisture to penetrate for many months, sometimes years. This hinders germination since the seeds have to have warmth and moisture to germinate. For something small, like morninglory seeds, you can rub them between two pieces of sandpaper. Larger seeds, like acorns, can be nicked individually with a knife. Good luck - hope you have a bumper crop of morninglories (I used to be a farmer, btw)!
Reply:I think it's apple seeds you have to do the same thing to and what it means is that the seeds are so hard that they won't start to grow unless you nip the point of the seed (with nippers or scissors). I don't know if you'd be wasting your time, but since it's a directive they must know more than we do about their product. If you plant the seeds without soaking and nipping you "may" end up with molded seeds or seeds that don't start to grow, after maybe 3 or 4 weeks of waiting.
Reply:It improves the permeability of the seed coat, which is designed to keep some moisture in, but also tends to keep moisture out.



Rubbing the seed on a small patch of sandpaper or even a rough stone will help break that coating enough to let water soak in and germinate the seed.
Reply:another word for the same thing is scarify, it help the seed absorb water and will germinate faster.



If its needed I use a piece of 120 sandpaper and lightly sratch the seed case



you dont need to cut or nick morning glory just soak them then plant them. I plant them all the time
Reply:In all the years I have been growning morning glories I have never knicked them. I have always just planted and watered and have had amazing results. Every year I have them come back as they spread their seeds over the winter.
Reply:Its funny I just read that on my morning glory packages too! I was thinking I would just soak them and see how they do - I had to have a relative bring me some when they came for a visit - I couldn't buy them here in Arizona!
Reply:I don't bother nicking them. I've always just soaked them overnight. That usually works just fine. When I plant them the next day, I can see that the hard outer covering has split.

Good luck.