> Bulbsters > > I've finally broken dormancy and gotten good germination in Veratrum californicum. This year, I made 2 plantings one in greenhouse flats and another in the field. Last week, all the seedlings in the greenhouse trays started to go down and appeared at first glance damped off. However on closer exam have formed what looks like a bulb that when dissected has an apparent bud inside. > > http://flic.kr/p/bZVKnm/ > > ?First true leaf? > Specimens in the field still look good but since is cooler conditions may duplicate gh specimens soon. > > http://flic.kr/p/bZVJHE/ > > Is this a normal development sequence in Veratrum? Can I expect these 'buds' to sprout again this year? They seem to be behaving like Dodecatheon where cotyledons die back the first year to a fleshy underground structure. This year on Dodecatheon seedlings we have tried a treatment with gibberelic acid in attempt to dleay dieback and cause a second flush of growth, as is reported in literature. Might be worth a try with some of the standing seedlings? > > Rich Haard > Bellingham, Wa., > Richard, This is exciting news. Did you plant the seeds fresh in the greenhouse, give them a cold dormancy period first, or some other treatment? I located a population of vercal this year that is close to a main road rather than miles up a river or off road, so will have fresh seed next fall to plant. Kathleen Kathleen Sayce PNW Coast, WHZ 8, dryish cool summers & mild wet winters