Campanula saxifraga germination

[Gabriela]

Can someone please give advice for C. saxifraga germination? It is the first time I have seeds and looking around I found contradictory info. Thank you.

[Lori S.]

Since no one has answered...  I grew this from seed long ago but unfortunately wasn't keeping detailed notes yet at that time.  However, in general, I've found that many/most alpine Campanula species seem to need cold stratification to induce germination.  I would sprinkle the seed on top of moist medium in pots and then place the pots in my cold room for about 6 weeks... or outdoors, or sprinkle the seed on a damp paper towel then kept folded up in a baggie in the fridge - whatever sort of method you use.  When the pots are brought out into room temperature, germination usually ensues.  (At the same time, it is worth checking on them through that time in case there is germination in the dark... in the case of a cold room).

If this just seems to be adding to the conflicting info  , one can always start seed indoors at room temperature (I assume this is what you're doing since it seems you're in an area with real winters) and if there is no germination after 2-3 weeks, then put them in the cold (cold room, refrigerator, outdoors, whatever) to stratify them for a few weeks. 

[Maggi Young]

I'm taking the chance to add  a little "plug" here for the  Seed Germination database - to which you are all invited to contribute!

 See here http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=13727.0     

[Gabriela]

Since no one has answered...  I grew this from seed long ago but unfortunately wasn't keeping detailed notes yet at that time.  However, in general, I've found that many/most alpine Campanula species seem to need cold stratification to induce germination.  I would sprinkle the seed on top of moist medium in pots and then place the pots in my cold room for about 6 weeks... or outdoors, or sprinkle the seed on a damp paper towel then kept folded up in a baggie in the fridge - whatever sort of method you use.  When the pots are brought out into room temperature, germination usually ensues.  (At the same time, it is worth checking on them through that time in case there is germination in the dark... in the case of a cold room).

If this just seems to be adding to the conflicting info  , one can always start seed indoors at room temperature (I assume this is what you're doing since it seems you're in an area with real winters) and if there is no germination after 2-3 weeks, then put them in the cold (cold room, refrigerator, outdoors, whatever) to stratify them for a few weeks. 

Thanks Lori! Indeed I am in an area  with 'real winters'  That's what I'm going to do. Starting this fall I have what can be called a 'cold room', so it would be a little easier to shift things around. The others alpine Campanula I tried - C. alpina germinated at room temperature, but then last year I assumed C. circassica would do the same and it didn't work. Hard to guess for each of them...

[Gabriela]

I'm taking the chance to add  a little "plug" here for the  Seed Germination database - to which you are all invited to contribute!

 See here http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=13727.0     

Since it is a Canadian who had the idea and did the work  maybe it should be another one to start posting? (or someone else already did?).

[Maggi Young]

Entries from Canada and anywhere else are more than welcome, Gabriela!

[Gabriela]

Entries from Canada and anywhere else are more than welcome, Gabriela!

Of course, I hope it will be a successful project! I was just joking around.

[Maggi Young]

 

[Magnar]

Can someone please give advice for C. saxifraga germination? It is the first time I have seeds and looking around I found contradictory info. Thank you.

I have been sowing C. saxifraga several times. Average germination time in normal room temerature 12 days. No stratifcation needed.

[Gabriela]

I have been sowing C. saxifraga several times. Average germination time in normal room temerature 12 days. No stratifcation needed.

Thank you Magnar! Now it sounds quite easy, I wonder why is not more readily available. BTW great seed list! I was very tempted by few things but I have
an overload of seeds to try...(hard to believe that for once I have too many seeds