XVI International Botanical Congess
Hamamelis sp. produce fruits which open explosively for seed dispersal. To propagate, fruit harvest must capture the seeds, but ensure seed maturity. Experiments conducted in 1995 and 1996 tested how early seeds could be collected without compromising germinability, and tested germination response among Hamamelis species. Fruit were collected biweekly from H. mollis >Brevipetala= and two H. virginiana from 28 Jul to 20 Oct., 1995. Similarly with H. x intermedia >Diane,= H. x intermedia >Arnold Promise,= and H. vernalis in 1996. Seed weights were determined within 2 wks. of collection. Seeds were stratified for 8 wks. warm, 20 wks. cold, then sown. Data were collected at two-week intervals for 6 wks. There was a positive correlation between seed weight and collection date for all sources. Germination, as influenced by collection date, varied between species.