Looking for advice on germinating Viola 'Freckles'

[maggiepie]

I bought a packet of seeds yesterday , the instructions on the pack say to sow them, cover with plastic and keep them away from light until they germinate.
Can anyone tell me if this advice is best way to go about germinating them?

[Paul T]

Viola 'Freckles' I think from memory is a Viola sororia derivative isn't it?  That wasn't something I have ever had any problem with germinating here, in fact I have been trying to get rid of straight sororia for years now to no avail...... there always seems to be some seedlings coming up somewhere. 

If there is enough seed I'd be experimenting a little and trying some there way, and some just sown as you would a normal perennial.  Depends if there is enough seed to do that of course.

[maggiepie]

Viola 'Freckles' I think from memory is a Viola sororia derivative isn't it? 

Yes it is Paul.
Haven't opened the packet yet but it says average of 25 seeds, you can be sure I will count them 

[arillady]

Like you Paul I have had it in my nursery for quite a number of years but I think I am not getting quite so many opportunist plants nowadays. I love the plant and its happy freckles - plus something so lovely popping up in the nursery was a plus for me - I had plenty of pots to sell on my open days without any effort on my part.
Pat

[Paul T]

Pat,

I don't actually have "Freckles" itself, just it's bigger species origin... the Confederate Violet (V. sororia).  My parents had 'Freckles' and it was fairly well behaved, unlike the straight species which is for me a pain in the proverbial.  I doubt Helen should have any problems germinating it. 

[Gerdk]

I doubt Helen should have any problems germinating it. 

Yes, it's an easy violet - easy to germinate and to cultivate.
Sow as soon as possible! After watering I always kept my pots outside to let the seeds experience some cold but I don't know whether this is a must for this species.

Gerd

[maggiepie]

Gerd, you don't keep yours in the dark until they germinate?

[Gerdk]

Gerd, you don't keep yours in the dark until they germinate?

No, it seems this is not absolutely necessary besides for seeds of the section Melanium (pansies).
Otherwise to keep them dark won't do any harm if you don't miss the moment when germination starts.

Gerd

[maggiepie]

Thanks Gerd, I think I will just use my damp vermiculite in baggies method and see how they go.