Angiosperms

 

The diversity of this group of plants is enormous. They succeeded the Gymnosperms in the evolutionary ladder and have, themselves, spanned an immense amount of time, and hence evolutionary development. They represent an extraordinary variety of forms and physiological adaptations and in this context the development of the seed (both in its structure and physiology) are equally developed over a broad spectrum. This has thus given rise to an extraordinary variation in the various strategies which have developed for a successful germination and establishment for a new generation to occur.

 

These notes are limited to woody plants and those particularly which occur in temperate and subarctic conditions.

 

The relevant significance, when using these notes, is to understand that every plant has developed in its own evolutionary niche in both time and place and that its responses to achieve germination has been developed to provide the best outcome in that particular situation. Hence there is no reason to suppose that the artificial control of germination in cultivation is going to provide a ‘one size fits all’ solution in achieving a response. The general principles governing the control of germination are fairly well understood and documented and reasonable responses are achievable once a protocol has been established within the accepted parameters. Where difficulties arise it is prudent to survey the environmental niche which the subject occupies and attempt to analyse the factors involved in attempting to develop an answer. These notes are produced in that context and hope to provide an indication as to the line of enquiry.