Wrap up on the winter/spring seedlings-1

Last call – ordering for the summer will close tomorrow, July 5th! Updates were just made to the Spring shipping category.

I recently put in order all my remaining seedlings and it’s time to do a wrap up on the fall 2018/winter 2019 sowings. The spring of 2019 was unusual cold and rainy; unseasonal low temperatures lasted well into mid -June. For this reason many of the winter sowings were delayed in germination plus that some of those that germinated were killed swiftly. At this point, there are species just starting to germinate (Leptarrhena pyrolifolia), some a bit more advanced (Anemone caroliniana) and others already grown up (few Aconitum spp.).

An update on germination first: Delphinium nudicaule has germinated after 2 months of cold (I found the seedlings growing in the fridge not long

Delphinium nudicaule seedlings

ago). I assumed it is a warm germinator based on the info available; it is certainly not, at least not this particular collection.

Almost all warm germinators started indoors in late Feb/early March are planted in the ground by now and most are doing well. Lupinus breweri seedlings didn’t like to be transplanted, only 1 survived, but no surprise; Lupinus spp. are best sown in place. I will post pictures with them tomorrow.

 

I would like to discuss more about the two Paeonia species offered for the first time in 2018: Paeonia wendelboi and Paeonia brownii.

Paeonia wendelboi (warm/cold germinator).
From 5 seeds sowed for myself there are 2 seedlings growing. I cannot tell if the other 3 seeds have grown roots and perished afterwards due to too much moisture or if the seeds are still inside the pot  until I transplant the seedlings.

Paeonia wendelboi seedlings

Paeonia brownii: I already had an update to specify that it requires a period of cold/moist for germination (+2 months).
The germination is epigeal (the seedlings will show up with the cotyledons enclosed in the seed coat).
See what I mean here, I forgot to take a picture with my seedling:
http://plantes-passion.forumactif.fr/t5795-semis-de-paeonia-brownii

I kept for myself 2 lots of seeds: 3 normal (larger seeds) and 4 small ones that I considered unfit to sell. They were stratified at cold in February (lot 1) and March (lot 2) in the fridge.

All 3 larger seeds have germinated, roots only, after 2+months and were planted in a pot. In the picture below, the one fully germinated seedling was planted when the root was aprox. 5 cm long; the other 2 had shorter roots.

Paeonia brownii seedlings

You can notice a second tiny seedling in the picture of which I removed the seed coat to see if it would grow better (clearly not) and the third one with only the seed coat showing for now.

I keep thinking that maybe they would have liked to stay more in the fridge(?).

From the 4 smaller seeds kept in the fridge, 3 formed roots and they were planted in pots only 2 weeks ago.

Paeonia brownii germinated seeds after 2 months of cold/moist, roots only

 

I would like to hear the results obtained by those who purchased seeds last fall (please see the Contact form or comment section).
We can learn more about it by sharing the results.

 

 

Catch them if you can

It is easier with a little help ;) It would be a pity to miss the seeds from this beauty, don’t you think?

Helleborus x hybridus ‘Cherry Blossom’

This is a gorgeous anemone center specimen from the Cherry Blossom seeds strain; not all seedlings will come entirely true from seeds of course but all other possible forms to obtain are very enticing!

Self- pollinated, or with a bit of help from this one – not bad either, eh?

In my experience Helleborus seeds can be safely sowed asap or until mid August in order to germinate in the spring after a cold period. When sowed in late fall/winter they will germinate in the second year (warm/cold cycles required for germination).
Alternatively, controlled warm/cold periods can be provided in the house.

Seeds will be available soon!

Late June woodland happenings and Polygala

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The woods are lush, green and full of mosquitoes at this time. Few perennials are flowering (Anemone virginiana in the header image, Hydrophyllum canadense and Medeola), most late spring flowering species are busy growing fruits and few shrubs take center stage, notably: Lonicera canadensis, Cornus rugosa, Diervilla lonicera (also Polygala senega in the image) and Viburnum acerifolium.

Lonicera canadensis

Cornus rugosa

Diervilla lonicera

Viburnum acerifolium flowers

And, very important – the first seeds of Polygala paucifolia  have already been collected! I hope to get more in the next few days. In the last couple of years the seeds set was very low due to the drought. But after a gorgeous flowering in May and cool weather there is hope!

Polygala paucifolia (Gay wings, fringed Polygala)

A special post for Polygala will follow later before the seeds are posted in the Shop.

Mandatory readings

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The first moist packed seeds of the season are flying to various destinations. I want everyone to be successful in germinating and growing these species.
I cannot devise a test but few previous writings are actually mandatory for all purchasing any moist packed seeds:

Moist packing – what’s that?

We got the moist packed seeds – now what?

Hepatica: pollination, seeds and germination

The inventory on Hepatica seeds will be updated tomorrow and few other seeds of warm germinating species will be added to the Spring Shipping rate category!

Until then, I’ll leave you all with the mandatory readings ;) and an image with juicy seeds of Erythronium americanum.

Erythronium americanum fresh seeds

 

Viola declinata

Viola species are not that easy to ID and when collecting seeds in the wild, usually in a hurry there is not enough time for proper observation/pictures.

For this reason Viola declinata, an endemic species from Carpathian Mts., it was offered as Viola cf. declinata in 2017.
Flowering now in the garden, it is a different story :) you can easily take hundreds of pictures and make measurements. The name is confirmed and those few who purchased seeds can label it as Viola declinata.

Viola declinata from E. and S. Carpathian Mts.

June woodland happenings

Now that the Hepatica seeds are all safe and moist and Claytonia capsules are making popping sounds from the paper bags :) we can enjoy a woodland walk.

As the Trillium grandiflorum is coming to an end other species start flowering. The mayapples (Podophyllum peltatum), Trientalis borealis, Aralia nudicaulis, Aquilegia canadensis, Maianthemum canadensis, Maianthemum stellatum, Clintonia borealis and all others are looking very happy after the rainy spring season. Considering the dryness of the last couple of years it is so very pleasant to see the woods looking green, lush and happy! Follow the links to read more about them or just enjoy the pictures.

Hover the mouse or click to open the gallery for the names.

Trillium grandiflorum

Podophyllum peltatum colony, June

Geranium maculatum

Maianthemum stellatum

Aralia nudicaulis

Calla palustris

Clintonia borealis

Cypripedium parviflorum var. parviflorum

Trientalis borealis

Zizia aurea

Aquilegia canadensis

Arisaema triphyllum

Friday’s seedlings: Trillium luteum

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Last year there was only one capsule with few seeds on a Trillium luteum. Nothing else to do but to sow the few seeds.
Easy germinator after warm/cold cycles; moist at all time of course.

Trillium luteum seedlings

Trillium luteum, not only beautiful also with a fresh lemony fragrance!

One picture: just because

Two pictures for today actually (rules are made to be broken right? :)

I want to show this absolutely cool woodland species which flowers for the first time. I grew it from seeds just because someone sent me seeds 5 years ago. I didn’t ask for them, had no idea what the species was and how to germinate it, or if it would grow in my climate.
Nevertheless, I sowed them. And I was patient.

Aristolochia steupii

One picture: Pedicularis

Yes, it is possible. There are also few P. comosa and P. verticillata germinating now, in the second year after sowing.

Pedicularis atropurpurea

One picture: epicotyl dormancy

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Sanguinaria canadensis: seedlings of last and this year in the same pot = keep your pots for at least 2 years.

Cycles require for germination (moist at all times): W + C with about 50% of seeds with W + C + W (W- warm, C- cold). From a small sample of seeds you may never know, they can germinate all at once or in stages.
The epicotyl dormancy can be simple or double simple.

Sanguinaria canadensis 2 generations seedlings

Simple epicotyl dormancy = emergence of the roots in autumn and emergence of the shoots following spring; a germination pattern common for many species.

 

 

 

 

One picture: Glaucidium

A short series on the idea that “A picture is worth a thousand words”.

Glaucidium palmatum: last year seedlings germinated warm and seedlings germinated this spring after the winter cold. It can happen for all seeds to germinate after a cold period (always keep your pots for 2 years).

Glaucidium palmatum seedlings

Friday’s seedlings: primulas

A couple of days ago I started to prick out Primula seedlings when I realized I should take few pictures first. At this time of the year I don’t always get the chance to show the ‘before’ picture.
Featured image with Primula zambalensis already pricked out (easy, warm germinator).

Primula ruprechtii (cold/moist stratification) and Primula glaucescens (done with GA3/ otherwise cold/moist stratification)

Primula ruprechtii seedlings

Primula glaucescens

Primula amoena seedlings are still small, will have to grow a bit more (cold/moist for at least 2 months).

Primula amoena

Primulas are also flowering in the garden in all shapes and sizes & colors. It is good to adopt a relaxed attitude when growing Primula from seeds.
They are among the easiest to grow but keep in mind that some species hybridize easily in the garden; also the cultivars may not be stable (for ex. Primula ‘Sunset Shades’). But they are all wonderful.
Aquilegia nigricans just starts flowering – a reminder that early flowering columbines always make for a good combination with the primulas (A. canadensis in flower as well).

Primula veris ‘Sunset Shades’

Primula veris

Primula elatior hybrid

Aquilegia nigricans