Sowing in moss – part II
Medeola virginiana seeds have just been placed in the inventory. The Indian cucumber is a species that germination speaking “breaks with the tradition” (Breaking the tradition- Medeola germination).
New foliage of Medeola virginiana in the spring, growing in moss with Coptis trifolia (previous year leaves) and Canada Mayflower.
In some places it can be found growing on mossy decomposed tree trunks together with Coptis trifolia, the goldthread and Maianthemum canadensis (Canada Mayflower).
This is a great occasion to emphasize that Coptis trifolia should also be sown asap! Like many other species from the Ranunculaceae family, and those from the moist-packed seeds category, for the best germination it requires a slightly warm/moist stratification period before the winter arrives (ie. the cold/moist stratification period). Otherwise, germination will happen in the second year.
I decided to also sow Coptis seeds; hands-on experience is like no other :) And why not sow like the nature does many times in moist places? Meaning in moss. I already described and recommended this method for Gaultheria and Saxifraga cuneifolia: Green inspiration – sowing in moss.
The method can certainly be used for other species like Coptis, Trientalis, Medeola, Clintonia, Cornus canadensis. And surely 2-3 species could be sown together in a larger pot.
Medeola germination is already tested so let’s try the bunchberry (Cornus canadensis) this time.
Prepare a pot: add regular garden soil and a tuft of moss and saturate with water. Next day, have the seeds handy, remove the moss and press the larger seeds in the soil (Medeola, Cornus…), put back the chunk of moss and sprinkle the finer seeds on it (Coptis, Gaultheria, Trientalis); water slowly to push the finer seeds into the moss. Keep the pot in a shaded place, water when necessary. Depending on the situation: many critters, hot summers, you can also enclose the pot in a loose plastic bag. *Preferably use a larger pot that the one seen here.
Especially for species that take 2+ years to germinate, I think it is a wonderful method of sowing: the moss will help keep the pot content evenly moist, plus that it looks nice all year long!
Have yourself a nice hike and collect a little bit of moss :-)
