This is a public-interest archive. Personal data is pseudonymized and retained under GDPR Article 89.

Re: Dictamnus albus



skid@bway.net wrote:

> 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-

  I wonder if this method would work with Cerinthe major?  Judy Showers
http://www.epix.net~jshowers
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index