germinating Crinum
Jim Lykos (Fri, 14 Nov 2003 06:04:15 PST)

Hi Angelo,

While I agree with the cultural logic of Cameron and Dash's
suggestions I also think there could be an alternative reason why the
Crinum seed hasnt germinated. I have found that some Crinum seed -
particularly that collected late in the flowering season doesn't
germinate regardless of what cultural inducements you attempt. I have
found this particularly with a related species like C. pedunculatum. If
it doesnt germinate before the close of early Autumn, it will usually
remain dormant until the following early summer, when in most cases the
radicle will start to grow from the seed.
This could for instance be an adaptation to monsoon dry and wet
periods in its natural habitat, or a strategy of germination delay
which allows for a greater period of time for seed dispersal
particularly by water and sea.

I suspect that phytoperiodism and temperature activate the growth of
the radicle, and if I am correct then its the length of daily sunlight
and temperature that would need to be controlled to induce an earlier
germination. The seed should remain turgid and healthy if it is half
buried in seedling raising mix, and this is kept out of the sun and
protected from frosts in winter.

Cheers

Jim Lykos

Cameron McMaster wrote: