TTC testing on opaque seeds

[Aaron Hicks]

I’m having second thoughts as to TTC testing on Pholisma sonorae; it’s been >20 years since I ran TTC tests on this weirdo, and I’m doubtful as to the results way back when.

The seeds are small, maybe 1-2mm, and they are biconcave, like a red blood cell. They imbibe upon introduction of water, and the embryo plumps up nicely. With a bit of work, the testa can be removed, revealing the embryos, with or without coloration.

TTC, being what it is, “likes” to turn pink no matter what, so I’m having problems figuring out whether I’m getting true color changes with such an oddball.

Anyone with experience doing seed testing on such weird seeds, I’d be interested in your observations. I’ve never found TTC all that useful with orchid seeds, and that’s 99% of what I’ve worked with, so I’m skeptical as to its value with pholisma.

[Stephanie Frischie]

Hi Aaron,

I don’t have experience with seeds of Pholisma sonorae, but depending on how similar it is to other Boraginaceae, the resources for interpreting staining in other members of that family might be helpful.

My other suggestion would be to reach out to a trusted seed analyst, or form a relationship with one, to be able to draw from their expertise.

Another resource to be aware of is this website and the group behind it https://wild-seeds.net/contact-us/ . The project has been dormant a few years but as I understand, they are actively working on it again, behind the scenes.

Good luck!

[Aaron Hicks]

Thanks, Stephanie. I hadn’t found that site before, and- as it turns out- my day job is moisture testing, so I have a few things to discuss with the ISTA moisture testing folks there. Perhaps I’ll hear back as regards my more generalized TTC query.

[Author]

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