How to Stratify Moonflower Seeds
- 1). Pour the moonflower seeds out of their packet onto a paper towel or other coarse-textured cloth. This prevents seeds from rolling across the smooth surface of the work space.
- 2). Nick the outer black seed coat of each seed with a razor blade held firmly in your finger tips. Do not cut the seed in half---you aim to only scratch off the hard, protective coat. Chip off thin layers until you finally see a minute opening to expose the light colored under-layer.
- 3). Rub two pieces of fine-textured sandpaper together over the moonflower seed if you're uncomfortable using a razor blade or paring knife to nick the seed coat. Scratch the seed coat with the sandpaper to diminish the coat's thickness in one area on the seed. There's no need to continue scarifying to expose the plant embryo inside.
- 4). Soak the scarified moonflower seeds in a shallow bowl in 1/2 inch of room temperature water overnight. This hydrates the seed, as the nick or scratching in the hard seed coat allows the moisture to further soften the seed, and helps the germinating embryo emerge. After soaking, immediately sow the seed in warm, moist soil, according to "The American Gardener," the publication of the American Horticultural Society.
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