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Re: Dictamnus albus

Dear Alison,

The below is from our FAQ, we think it will answer all of your questions.
(You don't say what germination method you tried,  so we are assuming this
info below will be helpful)

***************
We bought our seed from DeGeorgi, and germinated them according to
instructions by Norman Deno, who researched seed germination at great
length.

We placed the seed on moist paper towel, folded the towel over so the seeds
were between the two layers, and put the towel in one of those cheap
plastic produce bags from the grocery store, and put the whole thing in the
fridge.  (The bag should be folded over, and the moisture should be checked
and maintained.)

After 8-12 weeks, the seeds split, and the radicle (root) appeared.  Once
this occured, we brought the seeds out of the fridge into a regular room
temp environment, and in 2-3 days had at least a half-inch growth of the
radicle, so we potted them up.

Within a week's time, leaves (cotyledons) broke the soil surface, and we
had success!  (Believe me, we were thrilled.)  We let the seedlings stay in
the 2.5" pots until they were root bound enough to move to a larger pot
without disturbing the root system--they resent moving, and we wanted to
make *very* sure no soil would fall away, and subsequently damage the
roots.  We moved them into quart pots for the summer.

At summer's end (1995) we moved them into the cold frame (still in pots),
and waited to mulch them after the first freeze.  We continued to move them
up into larger pots each season until we got them into gallons--each time,
being very sure they were somewhat rootbound, which seemed to be helpful in
reducing the risk of root disturbance and subsequent death of the plant.

Dictamnus are very hardy and long lived perennials.  We have seen mature
plants in bloom, and they are really beautiful, with a nice fragrance--both
flower and foliage.  The 'gas' of the gas plant can actually be ignited by
doing the following:  On a still summer night with temps around 70 degrees
F, put a match near the plant's foliage.  The oils that are excreted by the
plant will ignite--and it doesn't hurt the plant or flowers.  Cool, huh?
****************
end FAQ

Bill & Harvey
SKID Plants  Zone 6  CT  USA

>I sowed some seeds of this a couple of years back. Nothing happened. I
>have rescued the seeds, some of which were brittle, dry and clearly
>dead, but some are hard and shiny, and just like they were to start
>with. They float in water.
>Is it worth trying to sow them again? And if so, is there any secret of
>getting them to germinate?
>--
>Alison Brooks
>
>O-
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