Silybum marianum, commonly known as milk thistle, is an annual or biennial plant of the Asteraceae family native to the Mediterranean region. Seeds contain silymarin, valued for medicinal properties. Seeds require after-ripening for dormancy alleviation.
Before sowing
No pre-treatment needed — sow directly.
Freshly harvested seeds require after-ripening (dry storage) to overcome physiological dormancy. GA3 application can increase germination. Seeds display type 2 non-deep physiological dormancy.
Sowing
What to expect
Tips
Seeds are light germinators and should be sown 0.5-1.5 cm deep. Direct sowing preferred over transplanting due to deep taproot. Keep soil consistently moist until germination. Avoid transplanting established seedlings. Optimal germination occurs at 20-25°C. Storage conditions affect germination ability.
Sources: Cambridge University Press (Weed Science), Wikipedia, Plantura.garden, ScienceDirect, MDPI Plants, Manitoba Agriculture, Italian Journal of Agronomy, scientific studies on dormancy and germination
