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Erythronium germination

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Ian Y:
Fascinating information here from Diane and Gene.

Gene I do soak my seeds in slightly warm water and the soaking seeds remain in our house while they are soaking so they do have at least 24 hours in warm conditions before being placed outside.

The best germination results that I get are from my own garden collected erythronium seeds. As I have explained in the bulb log I store them in paper bags in a shed through the summer then soak them before I sow them around September.

Reading Gene's explanation above and the information on the links supplied by Diane I discover I have stumbled upon a similar strategy allowing a warming period for the embryo to extend before a cold period after I sow them and leave the outside for the winter.

I also get what appears like a good germination from the ones that I am letting naturalise at the top of the garden. However when I consider just how many seeds must be shed in that bed the germination rate is very low.

This takes me back to what I was saying in this weeks log regarding our high expectation of the percentage of seeds that will germinate in the first year compared to what actually happens in the wild -sporadic germination.
Some seeds may lie for several years until the conditions trigger germination while others from the same capsule may germinate immediately. The range of germination times in the wild will vary according to the slight variation in the genetic make up of the seed and or the differing micro climates of the spot the seeds were shed into, or in the case of E. japonicum where the ant may have  taken it.

I have also experienced a total failure of germination from some wild collected seeds but luckily I have managed to get some seeds from most of the species to germinate and go on to set good seed in our garden where I have more control.

Jim_in_mi:
As I recall from one of my Hort classes long ago at "University", seeds sown in cold conditions may experience imbibition injury.  Ever since then I always let the pots stay at room temp, or warmer, for a period of time (usually a week) before they go into the fridge or outside.  Seed is designed specifically to move water into the interior, and some proteins can apparently be damaged in cold temps while absorbing water, if I recall correctly. 
Jim

Maggi Young:
Diane, Jim, lovely to SEE you now, with your ID pix!
I think this thread shows us, again, that getting fresh seed, or storing seed in careful conditions is so important. While the occasional species seems willing to germinater, no matter what, all too often there is a limit to what the gardener can do to remedy the state of old or damaged seed.
Thank goodness none of that stops us trying, though! I would say to anyone new to this "game", don't be put off, thinking that there are nothing but difficulties in growing from seed -- try it, you may have the magic touch and be a natural!!

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