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Re: Unidentified subject!

Jean Carpenter wrote:

> This is my first posting to the seeds information board and I am
> enjoying
> all of the information I have received so far. My question is:  Has
> anyone
> had any success in germinating Helleborus - Lenten Rose, niger? I have
>
> tried and put them in the refrigerator twice for three months each but
> so
> far they have not germinated. Is there something else I need to do or
> should have done instead? Any information will be appreciated. Jean

   Hellebores are really quite easy from seed.  The fresher the seed,
the faster the germination.  They are a snap to do outdoors with just
ripened seed.  just sow them slightly beneath the surface, and in spring
watch the babies come up.

However,  the easiset method for germinating hellebores indoors is the
following:  In a small plastic zip-lock bag, place 1)  the helleborus
seeds, 2) just enough slightly moistened STERILE milled sphagnum moss to
keep them moist (you should not overwhelm them, and should still be able
to see the seeds), and 3) a tiny sprinkling of either Captan or Benomyl
(with a dust mask over your mouth and nose -I just use it dry, without
diluting it)to keep away any fungus the seeds could get from being in a
damp closed environment for too long .

Keep the bag in you sight for 3-4 weeks, opening it every so often to
allow in fresh air, and to sprinkle (or spray) in just a tiny bit of
water when necessary to keep the seeds moist.  Then, place the bag in
the refrigerator for another 4-7 weeks, following the above ritual of
adding air and moisture when necessary.

Remove the bag from the cold, fill a sterile plastic pot 3-5" with
sterile seed medium, and press the seeds and moss into it.  (You could
just slightly sprinkle on a bit of more medium - I never cover the
seeds).

Just let them hang out, never allowing them to dry out.  let them get
quite cool again, about 40 degrees, (they could even winter outdoors and
freeze).  As soon as the temperature warms up again, up they pop!!!

Let me know how this works for you.

Rika Bronsther
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