Hi Hamish, I think Mary Sue, Lee Poulsen and Diane Whitehead, have already covered the germination of the Tecophilaea cyanocrocus seed quite adequate. Like Mary Sue and Lee Poulsen, I sow my fresh seed in April-May (Southern Hemisphere) in deep seed trays, in a well-draining sterile seed mix, topped off with ½ inch of finer mix or river sand. The seed normally germinate in 6-8 weeks ( don't give up hope yet Diane) if everything goes according to schedule. During that time I pay particular attention to watering, not to wet, and always start them in semi-shaded, covered open benches, (Mary Sue knows what I am talking about) in the coolest part of the nursery, to stop them damping off. As soon as the seeds are up, I usually take them outside to harden off and grow them on, and let nature do the rest. I will attach a picture of successful germinated Tecophilaea seedlings after 3 months, from last season's endeavour, and will ask Mary Sue (nicely) to put it on the Wiki in the appropriate place. I have just finished collecting all the (hand-pollinated) 3 Tecophilaea species seed, and if you're interested in some fresh seed, contact me privately. Best wishes, Bill D. Tauranga, New Zealand :annual rainfall :1250 mm. Sunshine hours, mean annual : 2350 hours. Temp.mean max.Summer : 25°C. winter:///15°C/. Temp.mean min. Summer :14.5°C. Winter: 5°C. Wet mild Winters with occasional light frost. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ----- Original Message ----- From: "Hamish Sloan" <hamish.sloan@virgin.net> To: "Pacific Bulb Society" <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org> Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2004 10:45 AM Subject: Re: [pbs] Starting winter growing seed/Veltheimia seed > > Now, I need some help. Any suggestions on how to germinate Tecophilea > cyanocrocus. Two lots of seed ex PBX so far going no where! Need cool > period? need total dark? > > Regards Hamish