Abstract: The invention relates to germinated seeds of a plant species other than one characterised by a seminal root system, for example seeds of small seeded vegetables, the seeds having emerged radicles and a moisture content at which radicle development is suspended without loss of seed viability. Seeds may be subjected to a treatment which includes imbibing the seeds to a stage where radicles have emerged in a substantial proportion thereof and drying in a two stage process the first stage comprising drying to a moisture content at which individual seeds are separable and free flowing and the second stage comprising drying in an atmosphere of fairly high relative humidity such as 70% to 90% at a temperature in the range 20.degree. to 30.degree. C.Seeds treated according to the invention have advantageous properties in terms of storage and subsequent development on exposure to a suitable environment.

Abstract: A new and distinctive geranium plant characterized by its relatively large, well filled, ball-formed flower clusters on 14 cm. stalks and containing about seventy florets having the red purple color of the well known `Kardinal`. Each floret has about six petals of uniform coloration and is well filled with a diameter of about 5 cm. providing clusters that stand predominantly above the dark green foliage which has good zonation. The plant is a bushy and compact variety with heavy branches of medium height with a vigorous and spreading growth habit and abundant foliage, with many leaves of medium size, which stands about 18 cm. above the soil.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Eryngium planum named Blue Ribbon, characterized by its flower head which has very unique umbel formations, large and long peduncles with secondary and tertiary branches, medium violet mature flower color, and its rosette base.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of standard carnation plant distinguished particularly by its very large blooms of a Venetian Pink color which are produced profusely during the Spring, Midseason and Fall flowering seasons on a plant having a recurrent blooming habit, the flowers being borne singly on very long, strong, upright stems from a plant reaching an average height of about 104 cm. at eight months of growth and having moderately abundant foliage.

Abstract: A rose variety of the Floribunda class is provided that bears shapely crimson buds in clusters or two or three on a relatively long stem and has a vigorous, upright plant that needs little care and is better than average in resistance to disease and cold.

Abstract: A new Mango tree which annually bears uniquely colored fruit on well spaced branches. The fruit has bright orange flesh and small seeds.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Plum Tree denominated varietally as "Gar-Belmont", and which is characterized as to novelty by a date of maturity for commercial harvesting and shipment of approximately June 1 through June 10 under the ecological conditions prevailing at Fresno, Calif. in the central part of the San Joaquin Valley of central California.

Abstract: A new and distinct spring bearing variety of strawberry plant, characterized by its ability to produce large attractive primary fruit from the main and subsequent crops that meet the standard required for Driscoll's long stem fruit. These berries are produced if given the chilling necessary before winter planting. This production of large fruit can be produced in mid-summer, as well as during the spring.The variety is particularly distinguished by its good fruit appearance with yellow seed and a medium to large plant. This plant is considered to have a high degree of susceptibility to mildew and its large attractive fruit is susceptible to shipping injury which influences its shelf life.

Abstract: A new variety of hybrid lily plant bears large clusters of flowers of excellent form and long persistence, both on the plant and as cut flowers. The flowers of the new plant are particularly characterized by their consistently and fully double form and by their soft pink coloration. This combination is completely new in the Asiatic hybrid lilies. The plant is highly resistant to disease and shows high tolerance of virus. It is an excellent garden plant. The bulbs may be precooled and forced for cut flower production. The clone is vigorous and is a good grower and propagator.

Abstract: A new standard carnation variety particularly distinguished by its Venetian Pink flowers of medium size, which are produced profusely at recurrent intervals during the Spring, Midseason and Fall flowering periods on long, strong stems of a plant having a height of about 114 cm. at eight months of age. The flowers are borne singly on erect, rigid stems averaging about 84 cm. in length (cut at the tenth node); the plant itself having a vigorous, upright growth habit with moderately abundant foilage, well branched and developed with at least four stems emitted near the ground.

Abstract: A new and unusual red and yellow bicolor miniature rose.

Abstract: This is a new and distinct apple tree, being a limb mutation of a McIntosh apple tree.

Abstract: A new and distinct spring bearing variety of strawberry plant, characterized by its ability to produce large, glossy, dark crown crop berries during the early spring when given adequate chilling before being winter planted in southern California.It is distinguished by its consistently good shaped fruit that reflect an abundance of pollen production and uniformly fertilized pistil and achenes that develop. This crown crop fruit with its large calyx is borne on long thick pedicils. The plant is considered dark, and is vigorous only if given adequate chilling before being planted. This variety has the ability to continue cropping even in the summer, after the picking for the fresh market has been terminated.

Abstract: A new and distinct plant variety of the Cactaceae family is of the type known commercially as a "Christmas Cactus" and has a growth habit similar to that of the "Gold Charm" variety but has buds and sterile flowers with somewhat different color characteristics from those of the "Gold Charm" variety.

Abstract: A new and distinct plant variety of the Cactaceae family is of the type known commercially as a "Christmas Cactus" and has a growth habit which is similar to that of the "Kris Kringle" variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,688) but which, nevertheless, differs, among other things, by having phylloclades with thicker and wider wings and with thicker and longer teeth, and sterile flowers with shorter perianth tubes and tube laminating and forming tepals that have generally wider blades.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nectarine tree and more particularly to a new and distinct variety broadly characterized by a large size, vigorous, hardy, very productive and regular bearing tree. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described approximately the last week in July, with first picking on July 28, 1988. The fruit is uniformly large in size, clingstone in type, very firm making excellent quality for keeping and shipping, very crisp in texture even after 3 weeks on the tree, full dark red in skin color, and acidic but sweet in flavor. The variety was developed as a hybridized seedling from the selected seed parent, Red Diamond (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,165), and an unnamed nectarine seedling as the selected pollen parent.

Abstract: A rose variety of the climbing class is provided that has pleasant coral pink to pink flowers and a light fragrance. It is a vigorous, climbing plant with leathery green foliage and is mildew resistant.

Abstract: A new and distinctive geranium plant variety particularly distinguished by its very floriferous growth habit and its profuse production of bright Carmine Rose-colored flowers comprising relatively small clusters borne on relatively long, downwardly hanging branches standing over a background of glossy, dark green, medium sized leaves which provide a brilliant background for the flowers. The florets are of medium size and well filled and seven or eight of them form a round cluster, a plurality of which are carried on the hanging branches extending from upright stalks that are about 12 to 13 cm. long. The flowers are very double and appear somewhat like roses when they open and the flower clusters nearly cover the hanging tendrils which can grow in length up to about 50 cm.

Abstract: A new variety of crab apple tree, which I call "Doubloons", has large white double flowers, a generally round habit of growth with upright spreading dense branches and yellow fruit. The new variety is resistant to apple scab.

Abstract: A new variety of hybrid lily plant bears large clusters of flowers of excellent form and long persistence, both on the plant and as cut flowers. The flowers of the new plant are particularly characterized by their unusually large and broad-tepalled form, their light cream to white coloring, and by their unusual spotting pattern which consists of several short, narrow "brush-marks" extending from the nectaries. This combination is completely new in the upright Asiatic hybrid lilies. The plant is resistant to disease and shows tolerance of virus. The clone is vigorous and is a good grower and propagator.