Front Range Seed Analysts
1993 Seed Forum Volume 7 Number 2
THOUGHTS OF A SEED ANALYSTS AT HOME: By Jane Hall
Spring seems to bring seed testing into the practical and real world for me. Spring actually began for me in February when the ground outside was covered with snow and frozen hard. We were testing some moonflower seed in the lab and when I opened the germination towels I was instantly impressed! Vigor is the only word to describe the seedlings, in fact the seedlings could have described vigor. Sturdy hypocotyls, lengthy roots with many secondary roots, large primary leaves ready to photosynthesize. They were the perfect picture of a vigorous healthy seedling.
I joyfully proceeded with the analysis admiring the young plants, but as always tossing them into the trash. At the end of the evaluation I had saved two particularly vigorous seedlings and just couldn't seem to throw them away. So for a lark I took them home, potted them up and placed them in a south window. Several weeks later I added a small trellis and still later two strings tacked to the ceiling. The moonflowers were vigorous all right, as they quickly climbed to the ceiling and began to twist around and off the string! Indeed some things are destined. The seedlings were not to be thrown away, but were destined to give me much pleasure as they grew and now this evening, are blooming! Two incredible five inch tubular, huge morningglory type flowers, white as the February snow and scented with an exotic tropical perfume!
As spring weather allows here in Colorado, I have planted some early seeds into my new raised beds. The peas, spinach and Chinese cabbage are up now but not without some consternation on my part. Impatience and consternation is maybe a better description! But I realized why when at last I saw signs of life from the peas. In the lab we see seedlings in a unrealistic time frame. They are planted in a perfect environment of warmth and moisture. Then to top it off we evaluate them when only those with x-ray eyes could see them planted in the ground. No wonder I was so impatient, I'm a seed analyst!