Mr Lowries Seeds

From: Loyd Wix (Loyd.Wix@unilever.com)
Date: Fri Jan 24 1997 - 05:43:18 PST 

Date: 24 Jan 1997 13:43:18 Z
From: "Loyd Wix" <Loyd.Wix@unilever.com>
To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com
Message-Id: <aabcdefg354$foo@default>
Subject: Mr Lowries Seeds

          Dear All,

          Christian Breckpot wrote:

>Right or just bad luck ? I would like to hear the
>opinion of other subscribers.

          Over the years I have obtained a considerable quantity of
          seed from Allen with various degrees of success. In recent
          years most of the seeds I have obtained from him are Aussie
          species.

          With Utrics my success rates vary from high germination
          rates with stuff from south and south western Australia to
          low rates with the tropical northern species. With the
          tropical northern species my success rate is approx 20% of
          species germinating. There is an element of luck in this as
          a number of growers in the UK were successful in germinating
          U.dunlopii where as I was not. I have however succeeded in
          germinating U.cappilliflora on the 5th attempt! As mentioned
          in previous E-mails the general view is that many of these
          species are difficult to germinate however NOT impossible -
          a bit of luck and persistence pays off.

          Most recently I obtained seed of a considerable number of
          Tropical Drosera and I have been delighted by obtaining
          germination with most of the species so far.

          In the past I have bought Sarracenia seed from Allens list.
          Some times no germination on other occasions every seed
          comes up. Some seed has germinated only after 2 years.

          It should perhaps be remembered that not all of Allens seed
          are collected by him and he trades seeds all over the place.
          There are many people on the list server who contribute to
          Allens list through trade. Thus the quality of some of
          Allens seed depends much on the quality of what people have
          sent him.

          Also don't forget that bad seed is not the only reason for
          poor germination rates, conditions light and compost etc can
          be very important.

          There are I believe chemicals available to check the
          viability of seed which only stain live tissue, perhaps this
          is one way to determine seed quality before planting. Any
          one out there familiar with these chemicals?

          Regards

          Loyd

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