Alberto, What is your reasoning for leaving the seed uncovered for 2 weeks? Do you apply this method to only hard coated seed or all of your seed sown? I'm curious. Depending on the seed I usually leave mine uncovered as well, I'm not sure why I do this though or where I learned this method. I think it's more that I can't stand the suspense of what is going on under the seed mix. I cover with vermiculite once the seed starts to sprout. Of course this does not apply to seed requiring darkness. Thank you for the heads up on Albuca seed. Where would you suggest getting this seed from? They are one of my favorite bulbs and I'm now looking to expand my collection of 1, a. spiralis which came from seed purchased from Chilterns. Out of the whole package I only got one germinated, which I still have. Last summer I had 6 blooms from the one bulb, I was very excited to say the least. Thank you Linda Foulis -----Original Message----- From: pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org]On Behalf Of Alberto Castillo Sent: Wednesday, October 19, 2005 6:09 PM To: pbs@lists.ibiblio.org Subject: Re: [pbs] Dietes Dear Mary Sue and Jamie: With many kinds of plants seed freshness is of paramount importance. Just to give an example, Albuca seed obtained from PBS germinates in a 100%. From other sources germination may be 0-1%. Dietes seed shows the same problem. When scattered about the parent plants tiny plants come up everywhere. And it seems the embryo dies off rapidly. This is also typical of many species of year round rainfall regions of South America. As for my methods of germination I have mentioned them on a number of occasions. I use a very gritty mix and do not cover the seed for two weeks, watering abundantly during this period. Once the two weeks are over I cover the seed with grit (coarse perlite or coarse pumice would be equivalent) and germination takes place rapidly from then on. Of course, if the seed is dead nothign could be done Best Alberto _________________________________________________________________ Charla con tus amigos en línea mediante MSN Messenger: http://messenger.latam.msn.com/ _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.ibiblio.org http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php