We hope you have enjoyed the SRGC Forum. You can make a Paypal donation to the SRGC by clicking the above button

Author Topic: Penstemon from very old seed now flowering  (Read 1413 times)

Claire Cockcroft

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 502
Penstemon from very old seed now flowering
« on: May 24, 2021, 01:00:32 AM »
Betty Lowry collected the seeds of this plant in Arizona in 1989.  I sowed the seeds in 2019 and today the first flower opened.  It came as "Penstemon sp." and I believe it's Penstemon palmeri.

Seeds are amazing!

690818-0
Claire Cockcroft
Bellevue, Washington, USA  Zone 7-8

Rick R.

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 558
  • Country: us
  • Hungry for Knowledge
Re: Penstemon from very old seed now flowering
« Reply #1 on: May 24, 2021, 01:19:07 AM »
Panayoti Kelaidis always said older Penstemon seed germinate better, but I'm not sure he meant 20 years old!

Yes, that's P. palmeri.  Nicely scented, too.
690848-0
Rick Rodich
just west of Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
USDA zone 4, annual precipitation ~24in/61cm

Maggi Young

  • Forum Dogsbody
  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 44766
  • Country: scotland
  • "There's often a clue"
    • International Rock Gardener e-magazine
Re: Penstemon from very old seed now flowering
« Reply #2 on: May 24, 2021, 01:17:14 PM »
Crikey!!  :o :o :o :o 8)
Never too late to try, eh??!!  ::)
Margaret Young in Aberdeen, North East Scotland Zone 7 -ish!

Editor: International Rock Gardener e-magazine

Claire Cockcroft

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 502
Re: Penstemon from very old seed now flowering
« Reply #3 on: May 25, 2021, 12:46:09 AM »
Check your math, Rick.  The seeds were 30 years old!
Claire Cockcroft
Bellevue, Washington, USA  Zone 7-8

Rick R.

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 558
  • Country: us
  • Hungry for Knowledge
Re: Penstemon from very old seed now flowering
« Reply #4 on: May 25, 2021, 02:12:46 AM »
Oops! ;D
Rick Rodich
just west of Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
USDA zone 4, annual precipitation ~24in/61cm

 


Scottish Rock Garden Club is a Charity registered with Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR): SC000942
SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal