Germinating Drosophyllum (Dewy Pine) Seeds: Age and Scarification

A grower asks if "Seed Man" smoke packs help germinate Drosophyllum seeds.

Jeff Dallas has never used smoke packs for Drosophyllum because seeds germinate easily if two conditions are met: seeds must be at least one year old, and they must be scarified. Meeting these, germination occurs in ~15 days when sown.

Drosophyllum seeds have a hard coat requiring physical or chemical scarification (nick with file, sandpaper, or brief acid treatment). Fresh seeds have strong dormancy. Smoke treatment benefits some fire-adapted species (e.g., Roridula, some Byblis) but is unnecessary for Drosophyllum.