Re: hellebores
- Subject: Re: [SG] hellebores
- From: D* S*
- Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2002 09:23:39 -0500
I thought I would mention that the "8 weeks of freezing temps" must not be a hard and
fast rule. I have been growing Helleborus foetidus in my Tallahassee, Florida garden
since 1995. It suffers greatly in our summer heat and humidity, but has well
established now. In 1998 it self seeded, with hundreds of seedlings showing up in
spring, and that was a particularly mild winter here. The lows only dropped below
freezing briefly one winter. I actually charted the temperature every day through
that winter (see http://www.nettally.com/skinnerd/temperatures.htm) . That was the
only year it has self seeded like that, although it has bloomed reliably every
winter.
I have more details on my website at http://www.nettally.com/skinnerd/ombrage.html .
Dave Skinner - skinnerd@nettally.com
Le Jardin Ombragé, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
Main Website http://www.nettally.com/skinnerd/ombrage.html
Ginger Website http://www.nettally.com/skinnerd/gingers.htm
eBay Listings http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/gingersrus/
----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Henjum" <Meum71@AOL.COM>
To: <shadegardens@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU>
Sent: Sunday, January 06, 2002 3:05 AM
Subject: Re: [SG] hellebores
> In a message dated 1/5/2002 1:51:12 AM Central Standard Time, mtalt@CLARK.NET
> writes:
>
>
> > http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/shade_gardening/17614
> >
>
> Marg nice article on Hellebores, I have a question about how you have tried
> to germinate stored seed?
>
> Hellebores being a member of RANUNCULACEAE like many of the other members of
> this family need cold temps to break any dormancy developed. This means
> below freezing for 8 weeks or so.
>
> but first they need a warm period for more than 6 weeks. if i was to
> collect seed for later sowing i would store it in the freezer and sow it in
> pot with moist seed mix and cover with plastic and keep at 75F. for 6 weeks
> then move it to fridge for a week and then to the freezer for 8 weeks and see
> if this does the trick. after taking it out of the freezer I would put it
> in a warm freezer (39-42 F) were I would expect some germination to start --
> slowly (If possible) raise the temps to F 50.
> Paul
>
