calochortus seed germination help

[melager]

Hi can anyone give me help with germinating Calochortus seed as I am told it is difficult to germinate any tips please
thanks Mel

[Maggi Young]

Hello Mel,

Here are a few helpful sites : http://files.srgc.net/seedexchange/NurseryWorkshop_Seed_sowing.pdf


Dr Deno's "Seed Germination: Theory and Practice" and the two supplemental books are free downloads at the USDA National Agriculture Library online site. I know this book is out of print and nearly impossible to find. I hope this information is useful.


The books of Norman Deno are in the Public Domain so they are free for download.

National Agricultural Library Digital Collections
pdf s to download are linked to on each of these pages from the US site :


Seed germination, theory and practice
http://naldc.nal.usda.gov/catalog/41278


First supplement to the second edition of Seed germination theory and practice.
http://naldc.nal.usda.gov/catalog/41279


 Second supplement to Seed germination theory and practice.
  http://naldc.nal.usda.gov/catalog/41277


Also  see:

http://www.onrockgarden.com/guide/seedguide.htm
http://freespace.virgin.net/almond.jim/alpseed.htm

[Maggi Young]

We have had considerable success over many years in growing fine plants of many kinds,  both for the garden and for exhibition in pots at shows.  We use a very simple mixture for the pots -
We sow seed  in a mix - by volume, 2 parts coarse "sharp" sand, 2 parts humus, 1 part  6 to 8mm grit.
 we stand the pots outside on sand in a semi-shaded area  and then pretty much leave them alone.

 For things like calochortus we would take the pots under cover when the seedlings start to grow and we do that with most bulb seedlings but other plants seem to manage well enough outside. Of course, this is in North East Scotland - we must all make allowances for our local conditions.   

 In this week's Bulb Log you will find Ian's description of his treatment of erythronium seed- and the potting mix used etc - this is pretty much standard for all we grow so it may be of help to you :
http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2015Jan141421233053BULB_LOG_0215.pdf

Ian has been writing a weekly Bulb Log since 2003 and there is a lot of info there - not all about bulbs!

All issues of the Bulb Log are available here : http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/index.php?log=bulb  and there is an index : http://www.srgc.org.uk/bulblog/index.pdf

Growing from seed is great fun and is - for sure - worth  persevering with!

[David Nicholson]

Very useful book for those interested in Calochortus including a section on growing from seed. It'sd often available quite cheaply from the internet book shops.

"Calochortus: Mariposa Lilies and their Relatives", Gerritsen  and Parsons, Timber Press, 2007

[Maggi Young]

Good suggestion about the Gerritson book - Ian reviewed it- I'll find that soon!

There is  also this  - part of the Archibald Archive on the main SRGC site  : Calochortus


 Edit : found Ian's review of the book : Bulb Log 8 of 2008, 20th February

[melager]

Hi Maggi and David

thank you both for the information will look out for that book and nice talking to you David, I have seen a few of your replies and info and funny replies on the forum, its great

[penstemon]

For cold-hardy species (C. nuttallii, gunnisonii, ambiguus, flexuosus, eurycarpus, etc.), put the seed in a freezer bag with some damp perlite, vermiculite, or sand; put the bag in the refrigerator (not the freezer) for at least a month. You'll see the seed start to germinate some time after that; the seeds can then be put in pots. Pretty easy.
I've been experimenting with forced germination, too. It appears to work.

[melager]

Hi Bob how to you do a forced germination on calochortus,I know how to do it on iris which I have not done but will be in a week or two.

Mel
and thanks for the great help