Tecophilaea questions & soil comment (coir and coffee chaff)
Jane McGary (Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:24:07 PST)

Dave asked,

At 12:18 PM 11/24/2008, you wrote:

Just a quick question or two regarding Tecophilaea timing; sowing,
sprouting and re-emergence of young bulbs. From the posts, I'm guessing
that seed should be sown immediately? Would delaying until there is
more light available (say, a month or two after the winter solstice) be
of benefit, if the seeds will remain viable that long?

I believe it should be sown in fall like seed of most
winter-to-spring growing bulbs. The seeds, however, probably can
remain viable for long periods in dry storage, since they come from a
semi-arid region with unpredictable moisture from year to year.

I've just watered a pot of three year old seedlings, but seem to
remember that they took their own sweet time showing up last year.
Should I be waiting longer to water them; more like the timing of a snow
melt species?

I always start watering my tecophilaeas in the bulb frame in fall.
They do not emerge until spring, later than many bulbs. Presumably
they start some root growth earlier than the leaves and flowers come.
Tecophilaea cyanocrocus here flowers with Fritillaria pudica and
Lewisia brachycalyx, a very attractive combination.

I've also gotten a large supply of coffee chaff (not grounds, but the
seed coat that comes loose during roasting ... a byproduct, often
available for the asking), but haven't used any yet. It's supposed to
be an excellent soil amendment, slow to break down and with a good
balance of nutrients. I have been wanting to try this in a seed mix,
but need a large batch of seed that I'm willing to have not germinate.
And I'm still trying to catch up on planting more valuable seed ...

I would not try this product in a seed mix, especially since there
are tried and true organic materials that work well, are cheap and
readily available. As I observed a while back, I note that coffee
grounds appear to inhibit germination of annual weeds when applied to
a surface.

Jane McGary
Northwestern Oregon, USA