Nyjer seed and germination (1 Viewer)

[Killdeer]

For the past few months I have been feeding the local siskins and goldfinches with nyger seed from several different sources.

I read on the internet that this imported seed was always heat treated to stop germination. I hadn't been too bothered therefore about the seed accumalating on the soil below.

THis evening, my wife and I , decided to clear up this fallen seed. To my horror, the seed had undergone mass germination, forming a thick carpet of intertwining roots and shoots. This was probably a result of the warmer weather of late. However, these seeds are supposed to be incapable of germinating!

Has anyone else out there experienced a similar problem?

 

[DavidP]

For the past few months I have been feeding the local siskins and goldfinches with nyger seed from several different sources.

I read on the internet that this imported seed was always heat treated to stop germination. I hadn't been too bothered therefore about the seed accumalating on the soil below.

THis evening, my wife and I , decided to clear up this fallen seed. To my horror, the seed had undergone mass germination, forming a thick carpet of intertwining roots and shoots. This was probably a result of the warmer weather of late. However, these seeds are supposed to be incapable of germinating!

Has anyone else out there experienced a similar problem?

I think its always heat treated in the US by I think the dept of agriculture. Not sure thats the case in the UK which you've just found out it seems.

 

[Touty]

For the past few months I have been feeding the local siskins and goldfinches with nyger seed from several different sources.

I read on the internet that this imported seed was always heat treated to stop germination. I hadn't been too bothered therefore about the seed accumalating on the soil below.

THis evening, my wife and I , decided to clear up this fallen seed. To my horror, the seed had undergone mass germination, forming a thick carpet of intertwining roots and shoots. This was probably a result of the warmer weather of late. However, these seeds are supposed to be incapable of germinating!

Has anyone else out there experienced a similar problem?

It will die. The plant is originally from tropical Ethiopia so no risk from Niger germination in subtropical Lancashire. Does grow, flower and seed in southern USA.

 

[Mialien]

It will die. The plant is originally from tropical Ethiopia so no risk from Niger germination in subtropical Lancashire. Does grow, flower and seed in southern USA.

It won't die! I purposely grew a couple of very healthy niger plants. Loads of yellow flowers. Great for the bees, oh yes, and the blackfly!