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Author Topic: Penstemon from very old seed now flowering  (Read 1211 times)

Claire Cockcroft

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Penstemon from very old seed now flowering
« on: May 24, 2021, 01:00:32 AM »
Betty Lowry collected the seeds of this plant in Arizona in 1989.  I sowed the seeds in 2019 and today the first flower opened.  It came as "Penstemon sp." and I believe it's Penstemon palmeri.

Seeds are amazing!

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Claire Cockcroft
Bellevue, Washington, USA  Zone 7-8

Rick R.

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Re: Penstemon from very old seed now flowering
« Reply #1 on: May 24, 2021, 01:19:07 AM »
Panayoti Kelaidis always said older Penstemon seed germinate better, but I'm not sure he meant 20 years old!

Yes, that's P. palmeri.  Nicely scented, too.
690848-0
Rick Rodich
just west of Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
USDA zone 4, annual precipitation ~24in/61cm

Maggi Young

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Re: Penstemon from very old seed now flowering
« Reply #2 on: May 24, 2021, 01:17:14 PM »
Crikey!!  :o :o :o :o 8)
Never too late to try, eh??!!  ::)
Margaret Young in Aberdeen, North East Scotland Zone 7 -ish!

Editor: International Rock Gardener e-magazine

Claire Cockcroft

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Re: Penstemon from very old seed now flowering
« Reply #3 on: May 25, 2021, 12:46:09 AM »
Check your math, Rick.  The seeds were 30 years old!
Claire Cockcroft
Bellevue, Washington, USA  Zone 7-8

Rick R.

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Re: Penstemon from very old seed now flowering
« Reply #4 on: May 25, 2021, 02:12:46 AM »
Oops! ;D
Rick Rodich
just west of Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
USDA zone 4, annual precipitation ~24in/61cm

 


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