Citation
Ecology of desert plants. II. The effect of rain and temperature on germination and growth
TL;DR
Desert seeds require specific rainfall patterns, not just single rain events
This classic study established how desert plants filter environmental noise from signal through sophisticated rainfall sensing. Desert seeds don't germinate after a single rainstorm - they wait for specific patterns of moisture that predict enough water to complete their lifecycle.
This research provides the foundation for understanding how startups should similarly filter market signals. A single customer isn't validation; sustained patterns of demand that predict enough 'moisture' for business viability are the true germination trigger.
Key Findings from Went (1949)
- Desert seeds require specific rainfall patterns, not just single rain events
- Seeds filter noise from signal through multiple sensing mechanisms
- Germination timing is calibrated to predict sufficient moisture for lifecycle completion
- Some species require multiple wetting-drying cycles before germinating