Acantholimon caryophyllaceum-how to germinate

[maggiepie]

Would be grateful if someone can give me a clue how to germinate these seeds.
Just received them today.

[Maggi Young]

Ontario RGs site gives this : http://www.onrockgarden.com/category/genera/acantholimon


 And on Alpine-L there is this thread http://mailman.science.uu.nl/pipermail/alpine-l/2008-July/018058.html

there are quite a few posts to follow, which MAY be of help....

Panayoti K. gives more  info: http://mailman.science.uu.nl/pipermail/alpine-l/2008-July/018063.html  

[maggiepie]

Maggi, according to that, the plant rarely sets seed.
Hmmmmm, what I have is very odd looking things, I wonder if they are seeds!

[Maggi Young]

Bob Nold says on that thread that the "tubes" should be about 2mm to be viable..... that's about as much help as there is there about seed... I seem to have sold you a pup, Helen,
 sorry!

[maggiepie]

Maggi,

Here is a pic of the seeds in case someone recognises them.

[Maggi Young]

Parachute flowers!

 Another link....http://www.kadel.cz/flora/e/kvCard.asp-Id=6314.htm   says  Germ. 1-3 month, 10-16°C

[maggiepie]

Thanks, Maggi.
Will do half in a baggie with vermiculite and leave it in the bedroom.
The temp in there should suit them.

Wish me luck!!

[Maggi Young]

Good luck? Always, Helen!

[Lesley Cox]

I only have Acantholimon glumaceum but have sown the "seed" several times and never had a thing germinate. I know some do because I've seen the seedlings/plants in at least one other place but all the same I suspect that a lot of what is sent to the exchanges is infertile. I would imagine that someone like Holubec or Pavelka would know for sure what he is selling and that it is good seed. I'd have to say Helen, that yours look much like the died/dried off flowers without seed itself. I hope I'm wrong. Let us know how you get on with it.

Sometimes seed is listed of Carduncellus rhaponticoides. It is never fertile. OK if I'm wrong and someone has germinated it, I'd be very pleased to be wrong. My seed exchange seedlings of Caltha leptosepala (2010) are, in fact, a weedy Draba while Gaultheria sinensis is Dianthus deltoides alba. Can these be genuine mistakes? This year, there is so much seed in the packet of Omphalodes luciliae that again, I'm wondering. It looks smaller too, than my own occasional seed before I lost it altogether.

[maggiepie]

I'd have to say Helen, that yours look much like the died off flowers without seed itself. I hope I'm wrong. Let us know how you get on with it.

Sometime seed is listed of Carduncellus rhaponticoides. It is never fertile. OK if I'm wrong and someone has germinated it, I'd be very pleased to be wrong. My seed exchange seedlings of Caltha leptosepala (2010) are, in fact, a weedy Draba while Gaultheria sinensis is Dianthus deltoides alba. Can these be genuine mistakes?

Lesley, I have to say the exact same thing crossed my mind.
Will see if I get lucky.

[Lori S.]

What you have, Helen, look exactly like what I've received as acantholimon seed from Pavelka and Holubec... it's the dried calyx with (presumably) seed enclosed.  (The flower is larger and more highly coloured, sits within the calyx tube and drops off as the flower ages, leaving the calyx to dry on the plant.)
I have not grown your particular species, but have grown a couple others with decent germination (I usually only plant a few seeds, since I have limited room) at room temperature.  I couldn't say if yours would respond the same way, but it's worth a try.

I guess I should add that germination occurred in a few days.  I've also read that other people have had trouble with acantholimon seed, so I wonder too if it is a lack of fertile seed in some cases?

[maggiepie]

Thanks, Lori, that gives me hope.
Will post results 

[maggiepie]

Looks like I had at least one seed 
Just found this in the baggie.

[Lori S.]

That's great, Helen.  I just realized/remembered the other day that I'd requested and received Acantholimon caryophyllaceum ssp. caryophyllaceum from the NARGS seedex too (or at least I'm guessing that might be where you got yours?), and planted them on Feb. 17th.  Nothing up yet, but based on your trial here and my previous limited experience with the genus, I'll expect to see them in a few days.

[Lori S.]

To add, the one I've had a little trouble with is Acantholimon hedinii.  With that one, I had one seedling come up in 5 days at room temperature but it later died.  I've reseeded but the contents of the packet are largely chaff, so we'll see how it goes.
Not really related, but it was funny that I ordered seeds of Bukiniczia cabulica from both the SRGC and NARGS seedexes.  One packet of seeds appeared to actually be that of Acantholimon, and the other was a chaffy mix of something else.   (Or do seeds of Bukiniczia look very much like Acantholimon??)   Well, I sowed both packets in the same pot, so if all works out, I think I'll get something very interesting either way!