Diana and Lee, When first producing Leontochir seed, I got very low germination rates. I asked around and got a tip that the seed (very sticky (oily?) at harvest) benefits from washing with a surfactant before sowing - apparently Alstroemeria growers use this treatment. I began washing the seed with soapy water before sowing and greatly increased the germination rate. Martin --- On Sat, 6/8/13, pbs-request@lists.ibiblio.org <pbs-request@lists.ibiblio.org> wrote: From: pbs-request@lists.ibiblio.org <pbs-request@lists.ibiblio.org> Subject: pbs Digest, Vol 125, Issue 9 To: pbs@lists.ibiblio.org Date: Saturday, June 8, 2013, 9:55 PM Send pbs mailing list submissions to pbs@lists.ibiblio.org To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to pbs-request@lists.ibiblio.org You can reach the person managing the list at pbs-owner@lists.ibiblio.org When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of pbs digest..." List-Post:<mailto:pbs@lists.ibiblio.org List-Archive:<http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php Today's Topics: 1. Re: re germination of seeds (Diana Chapman) 2. Re: chen-yi nursery (Rodger Whitlock) 3. Suspend for 2 months (Elaine Jek) 4. Re: Suspend for 2 months (David Pilling) 5. Re: chen-yi nursery (Joseph Kraatz) 6. Re: chen-yi nursery (Greg Ruckert) 7. Re: chen-yi nursery (Hannon) 8. Re: chen-yi nursery (Greg Ruckert) 9. Re: chen-yi nursery-- off topic (Fierycloud) 10. Bought as Sinningia tuberosa (Shmuel Silinsky) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Sat, 08 Jun 2013 09:49:29 -0700 From: Diana Chapman <rarebulbs@suddenlink.net> Subject: Re: [pbs] re germination of seeds To: Pacific Bulb Society <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org> Message-ID: <51B36099.1010806@suddenlink.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed Yes, of course. I put them in damp vermiculite in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for about six weeks, then put the bag in my office at room temperature. I saw sign of germination after a week or two, and I planted them in a mix of pumice and some finely ground peat (not very much peat) and put them in my cool greenhouse, which is on the north side of my barn so it never gets much direct sun. Tiny leaves started emerging in another two weeks. So far I have very few seedlings. Could be just luck. I think when you purchase seed you might be getting seed that is old and non-viable, or seed that has been improperly stored, so luck plays a big part in it. Diana > Diana, > > Are you willing to share how you germinated the Leontochir? I've tried more than the requisite 3 times, but still have hopes of succeeding eventually? > > --Lee Poulsen > Pasadena, California, USA - USDA Zone 10a > Latitude 34?N, Altitude 1150 ft/350 m > > On Jun 8, 2013, at 8:09 AM, Diana Chapman wrote: > >> I recently posted something on my blog about using smoke/fire to >> germinate seeds from Australia, if anyone is interested: >> http://www.thebulbmaven.typepad.com/ >> >> I have posted before on germinating seeds in damp vermiculite in plastic >> bags. It can be seen by clicking on the topic 'Seeds' on the right hand >> side. I use this method for any seeds that need cold stratification, >> and also some that don't need cold temperatures to germinate. Seeds >> from South Africa usually don't do well with this method, and need a >> diurnal swing of at least 10-15 degrees F to germinate. >> >> My latest triumph?? I have some tiny seedlings of Leontochir ovallei. >> I am thrilled. >> >> Diana >> Telos Rare Bulbs >> http://www.telosrarebulbs.com/ >> http://www.thebulbmaven.typepad.com/ >> _______________________________________________ >> pbs mailing list >> pbs@lists.ibiblio.org >> http://pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php >> http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/ > _______________________________________________ > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.ibiblio.org > http://pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php > http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/ > germinating