Re: Echinops Germination

The Globe Thistles (without exception, in my experience) are all easy, 
earm germinators, unlike some other genera, where there can often be a 
wide divergence of germination habits from species to species. 

They are also generally short lived as seeds, dying quickly over the 
first year of dry storage (whether stored warm or cold).  

Another factor is that there is often improper embryo development, 
which I know all too well from the countless numbers I have cleaned 
(and dissected) over the years...This is not necessarily always 
obvious on superficial examination of the seed, although a plump, 
hard, swollen middle in the elongated seed is usually a good sign.

I would suspect, therefore that your seed of Echinops tournefortii 
either
(a) die more quickly in storage than E. sphaerocephalus or
(b) that you had a higher proportion of undeveloped seeds (no embryo) 
to begin with.

I tend to suspect the issue is the former because you noted that the 
seed was also "quite reluctant" to germinate...this sluggish behaviour 
in easy-to-germinate seeds is a surefire sign of seed that is losing 
viability.  Lack of vigour in the few seedlings that DO result is 
normally another sign. Had the seed been fresh and healthy, the seeds 
(that did have an embryo) would have germinated quite lustily.

When doing my germination testing, I may have 2 batches of seed from 
consecutive years that are still germinating 90-100% (Lychnis or 
Dianthus, for instance, many of which are rather long lived). However, 
the older batch, while still giving high percentages, will RARELY 
germinate AS QUICKLY or with as much SPUNK as the absolutely fresh 
seed.

Then of course, there are the seeds that seem to improve with age- 
such as the hardy Geraniums...but that is another story.

Kristl
Gardens North Seeds
Z4. North Gower, Ontario, Canada
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