Experimentation with Seed Germination and Heat. Andrew Valenzuela
Fire is an important part of Southern California’s native ecosystem. Many native plants within the Alluvial Sage Scrub habitat require fire to properly thrive. This project evaluates the level and speed of plant growth by exposing seeds to different types of heat to observe under which conditions seeds grow the largest and fastest. The experiment includes the following steps:
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1. Identification of seeds which require heat to germinate. 2. Research of the proper temperature which native seeds need to grow and application of appropriate heating methods which include: propane blowtorch, boiling, and dry oven heat. The experiment uses seeds that have not received previous heat treatment. 3. Planting the heated and non-heated seeds in a designated treatment plot. 4. Creation of fencing and signage for treatment plots. Artemisia californica at Bonelli Park in San Dimas, CA, where seeds were gathered for the experiment.