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Got seeds? Now add bleach, acid and sandpaper - Mary Koga

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For a seed to start growing, its embryo must emerge from its hard coat. In nature the embryo is aided by frost and animal digestion -- but humans can help too. Nicking, filing, and soaking the seed in hot water or acid are all forms of scarification, or ways to speed up germination by breaking down the shell. Mary Koga offers some tips to spur your sprouts (and don't forget the bleach!).


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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Mary Koga
  • Director Guilherme Araújo, Iuri Araújo
  • Narrator Michelle Snow
Additional Resources for you to Explore
Mary Koga's lab procedure, data table, etc.:
http://www.cactus-art.biz/note-book/Dictionary/Dictionary_S/dictionary_scarification.htm
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/oaklandes/science/grade3/brassica1.pdf
http://www.uri.edu/cels/ceoc/documents/germinatingSeeds.pdf
Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQeGaZMB9kM
http://www.chicagonow.com/chicago-garden/2013/05/seed-starting-seed-scarification/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGcHfDtOnF8
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TED-Ed
Lesson Creator
New York, NY
If seeds of a fruit tree became rare and endangered and you were entrusted with the only 10 seeds...
If so, which method(s) and why? If you would not scarify the seeds, explain why not?
07/16/2013 • 
 39 Responses
 / 39 Updates
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Customize this lesson

Create and share a new lesson based on this one.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Mary Koga
  • Director Guilherme Araújo, Iuri Araújo
  • Narrator Michelle Snow

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