verb
- to subject (a plant or seed) to a period of cold treatment to induce flowering or fruiting
Usage: botanical; technical
Examples
- Farmers vernalize winter wheat seeds before planting to ensure proper flowering.
- The researcher vernalized the bulbs by storing them at low temperatures for several weeks.
- Some plants must be vernalized to bloom successfully in warmer climates.
- The gardener vernalized the tulip bulbs in the refrigerator over winter.
- Scientists vernalize certain crops to study their flowering responses.
- Without vernalizing the seeds, the plants may not produce flowers.