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Vojtech has a good list. my seeds are on it's way, but a very good alternative is Michail Belov from www.chileflora.com I have ordered seeds from this source and the quality is perfect.
I have heard from some about concerns they have for the sustainability of the collecting done by Chileflora and other firms....... I counsel caution and suggest that Forumists make their own reseaches into any company with which they may do business.
where would one do such research (into conservation practises of any given seed vendor)?
Quotewhere would one do such research (into conservation practises of any given seed vendor)?Easier said than done, Cohan! I make mention of concerns that have been brought to my attention.... I make no judgement myself, for I am scarcely in a position so to do, as to the substance of these concerns; that is why I urge you all to make what research you can and make your own judgements about whether to do business with ANY particular company! It is easy to condemn all seed collecting in the same way as plant collecting - but there are genuine folk out there trying honestly to both preserve plants and supply the demand form insatiable growers..... in the current conservation climate it is never going to be a simple matter to please everyone. While such companies are not illegal in many places and their trade is possible, it reamins with the individual to satisfy their own conscience as to their actions. Of course many of these firms are commercially based..... but it cannot be imagined that seed collectors are any less keen to have a roof over their heads and feed their children than are the firerce and rigid conservationists .What is legal and permissable in one country may not be so elsewhere and this is why I urge caution and a proper consideration of all the factors involved in such trade.
Yes, I tried to cultivate some rosulates. Unfortunately with limited success. For germination I used the same 'toothstick' method like you described. After that I kept the paper with seeds in a sealed plastic bag and stored them in a fridge at a termperature of about 4 ° C until the seedlings appeared. Then these were transplanted in a similar mix as yours. Elongation was a problem too but not with all species. Most trouble was caused during hot spells in summer when temperatures were high day and night and the potting medium became dry and warm. All my losses were caused during these periods. I am in contact with two violet specialists which had the same problems. Sorry - seems not much help from my side.A very successful grower (Cyril Lafong) gave the following cultivation hints:The plants were cultivated in a large alpine house with overhead ventilation by fans (on and off every 15 minutes) all year round. Shading provided with whitening agent painted outside during June to August. A lot of water when in growth otherwise they tend to flop.He pointed to his special climatic conditions (Scotland) where temperatures rarely exceed 25 ° Celsius.Cyril added that he had reasonable success by using the mothods described but added thatthese violets are definitely not easy. Nevertheless the longest time he managed to grow them was about to ten years.So only to add from my side: try to give sufficient light, ventilation and cooling under your conditions and there will be a chance to have success.Please let us know here about your results because the Andean rosulates are really worth to grow here in Europe.Gerd
so is it presumed that GA3 is necessary for germination of these violets? is it essential, or just faster, better percentage etc?
In the dim and distant past when we grew some rosulate violas from Watson's seed, I don't think we had hardly, in our innocence, even heard of GA3, never mind used the stuff! We never have used it. So, in blissful ignorance, we sowed the seed and it grew.... so long ago now I barely remember what species..... several, anyway. Limited success for life of the plants to one or two to ten or so years, but terrible problems with etiolation in our light levels and a marked reluctance for most to flower. Fun while we did it , though!!