seed germination now

[Susan Band]

This is a photo taken today of some of the germination in my seed frame. The best trays are Lilium oxypetalum insigne, others are lilium nanum, lilium lopophurum, Nomocharis, Frit lilicea and Frit biflora. Others germinating but not showing above ground are Narcissus rupicola, watieri, Angel's Tears,cyclamineus and a lot of other Frits just starting. I have finally managed to get my heater working, although there hasn't been sufficient frost so far I didn't want to lose them at this stage as I did l last year.

[Susan Band]

Forgot to add Glaucidium palmatum and Ariseama flavum are germinating sporadically

[mark smyth]

Susan I collected seeds of L. lophophorum yesterday. Is it too late to plant them?

[Susan Band]

Hi Mark,
I would sow the lopophurum seed straight away since it is often starting to germinate in the pod (as does Lilium nanum)especially in warm damp autumns like this one. If it has started you might see evidence of it with the seeds starting to sprout or even just having long narrow embryos inside. Drying at this stage will kill them. They are best kept free of frost if you can as they are very easily damaged as seedlings, no problems once they are mature.The seed should start appearing above ground quite soon.
Here are 2 examples of mature specimens (I just like adding pics)

[mark smyth]

thanks Susan. They are in the fridge just now so I'll sow them this weekend

[Paul T]

Susan,

What a Lilium!!  I do recall seeing it once or twice before, but each time it is still amazing to me.  Definitely unlike any other Lilium I have ever seen.  Is it always a single flower on the end of the stem?  Do some of them not open, as in your second picture?  Or are they still in the process of opening?  Just fascinating!!

Great to see that you're getting such good germination, particularly on the rare and unusual things.  Glaucidium palmatum I have heard numerous times is very irregular from seed, most people apparently never getting any germination.  Never seen it over here in Australia, so can't comment from personal experience. 

All the best.

[Susan Band]

Paul,
You can get quite a variation in forms of this lily, the pictures are what I think are the best examples from either end of the spectrum. There can be up to 3 or 4 flowers on each stalk and 2 or 3 stalks on each plant, as it only reaches about 4-5 inches it is sometimes is top heavy with flowers Some forms fade pinkish when going over prehaps giving the name to the elusive 'pink form' which you sometimes hear of, I have never had any opening pink!
Glaucidium seems to have an ideal temp sequence to germinate at as it is very sporadic usualy in spring or Autumn, some seeds germinating 2 years after the first ones. The seeds are large enough to see, keep the pots until you are sure there is nothing left, a little heat does seem to encorage them. There is usually viable seed in the seed exchanges, if you are lucky you might get a white one, absolutly gorgeous.

[Kristl Walek]

Glaucidium seems to have an ideal temp sequence to germinate at as it is very sporadic usualy in spring or Autumn, some seeds germinating 2 years after the first ones. The seeds are large enough to see, keep the pots until you are sure there is nothing left, a little heat does seem to encorage them. There is usually viable seed in the seed exchanges, if you are lucky you might get a white one, absolutly gorgeous.

Susan and Paul---Glaucidium responds really well to GA-3---when so treated you it produces more consistent germination and  a good percentage of seedlings will be up within 3-4 weeks, unlike the usual (much longer period. sporatic germination). Cold is not necessary for germination.

[Kristl Walek]

susan, i also wanted to ask---are you using styrofoam fish boxes?