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Experiments on the effect of ashed plant seeds
In greenhouse experiments, "pepper" of ashed seeds had no significant influence on the germination of okra seeds
Purchased okra seeds (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) were filled in a tin pan and grilled on a gas flame at a maxiumum temperature of 505 °F (263 °C) (moon in Leo, waxing moon). The leftovers were then crushed until a rough powder remained. For the germination experiments, seeds of the same species were purchased and uniform, vital seeds were selected.
Then, equal quantities of okra seeds were sown in twenty flats containing uniform amounts of potting soil. The soil of 10 randomly selected flats was mixed with equal amounts of okra „pepper“. The other 10 flats remained untreated (control). All flats were placed in a random order along the south window of the greenhouse. Seedligs were checked after 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days, recording the number of seedlings and their habit (normal or abnormal). Abnormal seedlings displayed a hypocotyl height of 1-2 inches, the seed coat mostly still covered the cotyledons. Normal seedlings reached heights between 5 and 8 inches and displayed at least 2 broad, green leaves.
Ash preparations did not influence the rate of germination. In treated flats, 84.0% of all seeds germinated, whereas in the untreated control flats, germination rate was 84.9%. The percentage of abnormal seedlings did not differ between treatments either.
One year later, the authors repeated the experiment twice, following the same approach. They used the same flats and the same soil as in the first experiment. Only the seed ash was freshly produced (at moon in Sagittarius, waning moon). The seedlings of the previous experiment were mulched. As before, the mean germination rate did not show significant differences in response to treatment.
The authors discussed the following aspects in order to explain their results:
Moon phase during seed burning: some authors advise the date when the moon is in opposition to the sun (new moon) and to Saturn. Others advise waning moon or new moon without any influence of the Zodiac. However, the authors are not aware of experimental data on the effect of moon position.
The duration of the experiment (35 days) was too short to show an effect.
The choice of okra as experimental plant had practical disadvantages. Further trials with field mustard (Brassica rapa) are planned. The trials will be extended over several plant generations, therefore the seeds produced in the current experiment will be sown out in the following experiment.
Steiner never stated that seed ashes reduce germination. The effect of ashes upon the germination capacity of plants was the authors' hypotheses.