Hi everyone, Roy had thought it would be very interesting to have a topic about dormancy in seeds and bulbs so I asked him to introduce it. He has spent some time looking through the literature on this and I hope we'll have some contributions from others too. Many of us attempt to grow bulbs from seed and understanding what the requirements are for good germination is really helpful. I'd like to throw out some questions that came to mind while reading his introduction and see if any of you can answer them. >After-ripening is the time between the formation of a mature seed and its >ability to germinate; In the past people have talked about how some seeds will continue to ripen if you cut the scape and put it in water. Do we have any idea of which genera this applies to? I often wonder if I can cut pods off and let them dry somewhere else or if I need to leave them on the plant until the pod opens to ensure the seeds will be viable. Anyone care to tell us what they have observed about this? >Impermeable/Mechanically Resistant Seed Coats. Which geophytes do we think have seed coats that need to be nicked or sand papered? >Chilling. I assumed that chilling was necessary for species that come from very cold climates and would regularly get cold temperatures they would have adapted to. But Roy has found chilling helpful for alstroemeria. Remembering Jane's discussion of the many habitats she observed for this genus, they wouldn't all grow where it would be cold. So what do we think is happening in this situation? Roy has talked about soaking alstroemeria before you sow it. I always soak my Cyclamen seed too. Are there other seeds that people have found from their experience benefit from this? Have any of you done any experiments using smoke water to help break dormancy and ensure good germination? Many years ago Diana Chapman told us about her fire method that had worked for Veltheimia germination. If I recall what happened was that after her burning, seeds came up in great numbers all at the same time. What about the seeds that come up in later years (like Romulea). What has happened to make this happen? Finally I am once again struggling with Aristea seed. Rachel sent me some extra seed to experiment with and I have tried soaking them in smoke water and sowing them as I usually do. I have about 5 different species. So far I have one seed up in 10 pots. I kept back some seed to start in the spring. Does anyone have any suggestion for other things I might try with the rest of the seed. One of my Aristea pots from last year (0 germination then) that I have left outside to be rained on has 2 shoots. Thanks. Mary Sue