Editing Candling (section)

==In plants==

[[File:Pehr_Hilleström-Äggprovet.jpg|thumb|left|Candling an egg using a candle]]

This technique can also be used to assess the quality and development stage of certain translucent plant [[seed|seeds]], especially those of [[Lilium|Lilies]] and their close relatives. Ripe, viable seeds have a visible [[embryo]] within them when viewed in transmitted light, so good seeds can be sorted out from the non-viable seeds and chaff, if desired. Candling is a highly useful method with certain species that [[Lily seed germination types|germinate erratically or very slowly]], as seed germination causes the embryo to enlarge. Candling can thus be used to estimate the optimal time for planting seeds that are being [[Stratification (botany)|stratified]]. Care must be taken during candling, as drying or overheating will kill the developing seeds.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/LiliumSeeds
| title = Pacific Bulb Society - Lilium seeds
| publisher = Pacific Bulb Society
| access-date = 20 February 2016}}</ref>