Pulsatillas today

[Catwheazle]

I'm slowly starting to take stock of the year. I think I can be quite satisfied.
P. sugawarai is in its second year and nuttalliana in its first.
It seems to thrive a little better in the calcareous soil here.
P. sugawarai and tatewakii, on the other hand, prefer acidic soil.
Special thanks to C. L and L. S.
Bernd

[CRSHEP0]

When do you plant your pulsatilla seeds?  What kind of planting medium do you use, and do you cover the seeds with gravel.  I have never been able to grow from seeds, but of course I am using Seed Exchange stock.  Thank you, Cecile.  BTW, I live in Northern California.

[Catwheazle]

I only use the freshest seeds possible. I have had bad or no experience with older seeds (like with Crocus). If I don't get the seeds until November or later, I use additional light to have a 12-hour day. Lots of light seems to be good. Substrate: lime or acidic, depending on the species. P. vernalis, for example, = silicate, P. vulgaris = lime. The seeds are only lightly covered with grit. If the tails move when moistened for the first time, the seeds are good. If not, I have had almost no germination so far. Germination should take place within 2-4 weeks. I then leave the light on over the winter until it is a 12-hour day outside again. That's what I do anyway. Others certainly have different experiences and there is always room for improvement :-)

[fermi de Sousa]

I only use the freshest seeds possible... If the tails move when moistened for the first time, the seeds are good. If not, I have had almost no germination so far. Germination should take place within 2-4 weeks...

Hi Bernd,
thanks for that advice about the tails moving - is that when you've planted them or do you soak them prior to sowing?
cheers
fermi

[Catwheazle]

planting directly