look good and dark. Ones I received were brown

Mine are brown too, dark brown.
Probably just a different seed source thingy, or maybe ripeness?
And different species have different traits.

When seeds arrive, they're usually dry from storage/shipping.
But quickly re-hydrate when floating in water.
I think of Cocos (coconut) seeds, those big things that look like footballs, I think nature intends them to float to another island and then sprout when they land on another sandy beach.

I've planted some palm seeds that were floaters, some came up.
Some sinkers didn't germinate, so doubt it's a reliable indicator.

I just plant them all.

Patience, grasshopper 😆

Barb

Oh, I will. I read Phil's article about germination and it said that "most" seeds will sink as a sign of freshness. Naturally there was no list of seeds that would float.

When I did my sanding(tough seeds!!) I didn't go too deep, but just to the point where I could feel the soft membrane of the embryo.

Deep isn't necessary because you just want to soften the hard coat, not damage anything inside.
And, by the way, this isn't "de-lidding", it's just sanding to move the process along faster.

Barb

what a beautiful "design of the seed" it looks cool.

I agree Damir,

Foxtail seeds' intricate patterns are truly nature's artwork.

<a href=" http://www.flickr.com/photos/southslope/4279357978/" title="DSC03257 by edible_plum, on Flickr"><img src=" " width="640" height="486" alt="DSC03257"></a>

Barb