"prick seeds" (passionfruit/flower)

Hey all! I'm trying to start passiflora incarnata from seed, and the seed seller recommended "pricking" the seeds. I've been trying to find out what that means, but I'm not having much luck. A sewing needle just bounces right off. Does anyone know this method?

I guess they mean knicking the seed coat so the seed can more easily absorb water to start growing. Ken Fern says to soak the seeds for 12 hours in warm water then sow- he doesn't mention knicking the seed coat

Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and then sow late winter or early spring in a warm greenhouse. If sown in January and grown on fast it can flower and fruit in its first year[88]. The seed germinates in 1 - 12 months at 20°c.

from the ferns website
I must admit I've tried a few times with passionflowers and have had little luck from seed, the few plants I had did not make it overwinter in my poytunnel - I think they were just too small. I'll try again and overwinter indoors for a year or so first next time. I can't remember whether my seeds swelled when soaked or not. I expect that knicking the seeds will make the germination more consistent. I have a little saw attachment to my penknife that has wickedly sharp teeth and I sometimes use that for knicking. I think wire strippers may also be a suitable tool if used gently. Be careful with your fingers though! Sometimes abrading the seed with sandpaper can be enough to make it more porous.

The seller is talking about stratification.

A way to mimic what mother nature does.

There are a lot of different methods.

An easy one is to put sandpaper in a jar with the seeds and shake them so the seed slide against the sandpaper.

Some people use nail clippers to clip the seeds.

Some sow the seed in October for winter stratification.

This might help:

https://permies.com/t/114202/Wildflower-stratification

Thank you, thank you! I can definitely handle this.

I planted 5 seeds last march with no special treatment, 4 of them came up, but only one of them actually managed to make flowers, though I think that was not their fault.