Date: Fri, 27 Feb 1998 09:50:40 +0100 From: Wim Leys <Wim.Leys@vlm.be> To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg773$foo@default> Subject: Darlingtonia et al germination
This is a private e-mail conversation that David Mellard and I held.
David asked me to post this to the list, as it could be of interest to
others too.
> Dear David
>
> > I read on the list that Darlingtonia seed doesn't need to be
> > stratified.
>
> I apply stratification on Darlingtonia seeds and get excellent
> results.
> > They were planted on top a sand/peat mix (1:1) and placed in my grow
>
> > room, some under clear plastic others exposed to the air.
>
> I always use a plastic cover.
>
> > The grow is
> > cool this time of year with high temps around 70 F (about 19 C?) and
>
> > low
> > temps around 50 to 55 F (? C).
>
> (70 F = 21 C; 50 F = 10 C, 55 F = 13 C)
>
> I did notice that bottom heat in beneficial in two ways : it speeds up
>
> the germination process and the germination rate is higher.
>
> > I think one of the problems is that they
> > are in as close of contact with the medium as they should be so I
> > plant
> > to start watering them from above instead of by the tray system.
>
> I sow all frost resistant plants (VFT, Darlingtonia, Sarracenia,
> drosera) directly in the seed tray at the end of the year (+-
> november),
> water it, spray it thoroughly with a fungicide, wrap it in a dark
> plastic bag (to prohibit light induced germination) and leave it in my
>
> unheated greenhouse, or under a tree in the garden so it can freeze,
> defrost, freeze, defrost, ... The first of february I put in the
> bottom
> heat and place it in a light place (greenhouse). All viable seeds
> germinate after 2-4 weeks.
>
> I wonder why so many people keep stressing that Darlingtonia seeds
> have
> to be as fresh as possible to be viable. Sure it is always better to
> start from fresh seeds, but I have sown Darlingtonia seeds that were
> stored in the refrigerator for three years, and they germinated at
> their
> "normal" nearly 100 % rate but after a stratification period. Perhaps
> the cool storage keeps the seeds viable and/or is the stratification
> necessary to initiate germination after such a long time ??
>
> It is possible that Darlingtonia seeds don't need stratification if
> they
> are sown fresh. I have not performed any scientific germination test
> with all the possible combinations of fresh seeds, seeds stored for
> one
> or more years in or out the refrigerator and with or without a
> stratification period. But I get excellent results the way I do it
> now,
> so why should I change ? When I read those stories about putting seeds
>
> in a vial, together with some damp Sphagnum for so many months in the
> refrigerator I keep asking myself why people want to make things so
> complicated.
>
> I used the "refrigerator stratification" method when I first started
> with CP's. It never really worked for me. I prefer the way I
> described.
> The germination rate is excellent and it generates a lot less fuzz
> (you
> only have to manipulate the seeds once, when you sow them).
>
> Kind regards
> Wim
> > great big belly laugh. I'm the one that puts Sarr seed in little vials
> > along with sphagnum moss. I'm still laughing. You're way sounds much
>
> > better.
>
>
> I'm sorry, I didn't want to criticize you. I tried this Sphagnum /
> refrigerator way too, so many years ago, as the "Sphagnum will provide
> the exact pH and will protect the seeds from being attacked by fungi and
> bacteria".
>
> The thing I found the most problematic with seeds stored together with
> Sphagnum is that they get stuck between the moss, and sowing a clump of
> Sphagnum with some seeds in it didn't seem that practical. So I picked
> them out, one by one. This is cumbersome, but is still feasible with
> Sarracenia seeds, it really became a challenge when I took the vials
> with Drosera seeds out. I remember having tried to wash the seeds out of
> the moss.
>
> The year after I wanted to keep the seeds separated from the Sphagnum by
> wrapping them in a little piece of paper, before putting them together
> with the Sphagnum. Germination did occur, but was not really good.
>
> The year after I tried the sow-directly-in-the-
> seed-tray-and-throw-it-outside method, and giving the minimal effort /
> maximal germination rate, I still use this method. It is very similar to
> the way Mother Nature applies stratification.
>
Kind regards
Wim
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