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How do you scarify bluebonnet seed? I have purchased Texas Maroon seeds for planting.

Last Updated: December 17, 2007

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If you purchased the Texas Maroon from Wildseed Farms at www.wildseedfarms.com, the seed are already scarified.

The most reliable scarification procedure involves soaking the seed in concentrated sulfuric acid for 45 minutes. Because this is sort of a hazardous procedure, I don't usually recommend it to homeowners even though sulfuric acid is used by many who maintain swimming pools. If your seed is not scarified, I would recommend that you plant them without scarification. New seed will germinate 40 percent without scarification and ensure next year's planting as well (from nonscarified seed that did not germinate this year). Remember when planting, all we need is seed-soil contact. Merely rake the seed into a slightly roughed soil surface. If you cover the seed too deep, they will not germinate.

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