Sowing Paris - any advice ?

[mickeymuc]

Hi Tony,

Good luck with your crossing ! My seeds were also weak to the touch, I don't think they harden at all, I think that's their normal state.
It seems also normal that they sleep for years, I also have rhizomes in the garden that did nothing for 2-3 years while some appeared in the first year. Some Paris also made a very small and underdeveloped leaf at first, which withered after some weeks, to reappear stronger in the following year. Paul Christian writes on his HP that P. japonica can easily take 4 or more years before  a shoot appears.
So: don't worry and be patient, and maybe try not to disturb the rhizome.

Michael

[Tony Willis]

Hi Tony,

So: don't worry and be patient, and maybe try not to disturb the rhizome.

Michael

Michael thanks for that information on the seed. I had the same experience with a dysosma pod and I have sown the soft imature seeds. Nothing is lost by giving it a go.

As to disturbing the rhizomes I tip them out at least once a month to look for progress. I am like a mother hen worrying about her chicks as far as my plants are concerned

[Roberto Gamoletti]

Dear Friends
Very interesting topic! I have been in search for paris plants without success because beside P. Christian Rare Plants they are nearly unavailable by postal order. Only a couple of years ago I found some paris listed by Europa Nursery but I have not been able to get in touch with them. I am fascinated by their shape particularly those with marbled leaves but to date I have not been able to obtain plants. Anyone in the forum has informations about sources/nurseries?

Robin: my congratulations for your outstanding plants

Sincerely
Roberto

[ichristie]

Hi Maggie, you are correct Arisaema plus many others are specialities of the Callens, cheers Ian the Christie kind

[WimB]

Robin,

those are some very nice Paris-hybrids.
Be sure if you bring these plants in commerce to sell them in Belgium first

[Robin Callens]

Hi Ian,

Thank you for those all too kind words and also for the warm welcome and super plants you gave last july. We hope to see you again on the next Meconopsis meeting.

Robin & Clint

[Robin Callens]

Michael and Tony,

I hate to disappoint you but chances on germination of soft, immature Paris and Dysosma seed are very poor.

Tony, do you have a photo of your unknown (vegetable) Paris?

Robin

[Robin Callens]

Robin, does this mean you will have these plants in commerce soon?

We really don't have commercial intentions, we are just building up a Paris collection and trying them out in the garden along with Trillium, Arisaema, Podophyllum, Meconopsis and others.

Robin & Clint

[mickeymuc]

Stupid me !

What I thought was an orange seed was in fact some kind of berry, each of which contains s hard, white seed - I guess they look pretty mature and are not at all soft. I wonder if I have to dig them out and remove the orange part, but I think I'll have to.
I've read so often about the "orange Paris seed" that I did not check if what I sowed was the seed or not.
Well, next time I know....

Michael

[Maggi Young]

Robin, does this mean you will have these plants in commerce soon?

We really don't have commercial intentions, we are just building up a Paris collection and trying them out in the garden along with Trillium, Arisaema, Podophyllum, Meconopsis and others.

Robin & Clint

what a pity for the rest of us     there would be a good market for these hybrids, I reckon!

[Robin Callens]

Hi all,

Has anyone ever had or seen a fruit (berry) on Paris/Kinugasa japonica?
If so, is it possible to show a photo?

regards,

Robin

[Tony Willis]

Michael and Tony,

I hate to disappoint you but chances on germination of soft, immature Paris and Dysosma seed are very poor.

Tony, do you have a photo of your unknown (vegetable) Paris?

Robin

Robin  no I do not have a photgraph but will take one next year.

My immature dysosma seed has rotted but I harvested a ripe berry this week from another plant containing 50 seeds so I live in hope for the spring. The paris seed still looks okay.

[Paul T]

Tony,

Congratulations on the seed harvesting... a rare and valuable commodity.  Interesting to hear that your immature seed did rot, as that is useful information for others in the same boat.

[Robin Callens]

Tony,

Podophyllum seed usually germinates in the spring after the first winter, exceptionally before winter.
I experienced also that if germination doesn't occur after the first winter it never does.

It is interesting to know that the shape of the cotyledons is a usefull taxonomic character (see photos below):


Podohyllum aurantiocaule seedlings
 Podophyllum difforme seedlings
 Podophyllum mairei seedlings
 Podophyllum pleianthum seedlings

[Paul T]

Robin,

Great reference.  I've heard to the last species, but that is about it.