Pinguicula from seed

[Maren]

Hi,

I've just received a pod of Pinguicula grandiflora and, having read the literature, it is suggested to sow the seed and hibernate it for 2 months in the salad crisper of my fridge.

Would you agree with that approach? Thanks for any hints.

[ronm]

Hi Maren.
Certainly no need for such elaborate devices with this species. I'd sow it immediately on the surface of the compost and keep it cool and humid, ( I like to use a propagator cover to maintain humidity ). They should germinate quickly if the seed is fresh. If its not fresh they probably won't ever germinate. Then let them do their thing.

[Maren]

Thank you, Ron, that's much appreciated. I hate to clutter my fridge with things other than cypripedium seedlings.

[David Pilling]

My experience - I had no results from bought and seed ex seed. Conclusion it is short term viable. Seed from my own plants - some I kept dry in the fridge and sowed in Autumn, some I sowed immediately. None of it germinated until after Winter, and I did better with the seed kept until Autumn because less moss formed on the pots.

Seems to me a lot of seed is needed to produce a few plants. It looks like they might flower at the start of year three.

It is a plant that is tied firmly to the seasons.

I might not be disagreeing with Ron, I'd only have my own seed past the middle of the year.

[Maren]

Hmmm, the pod I was given has only just been harvested. I guess I ought to sow it straight away. Isn't that what would happen in nature?

[ronm]

It is indeed Maren, but it doesn't mean they germinate immediately, 
Almost all of the European Pings do require a cold period before germinating, but I have not found this to be the case with P.grandiflora, which isn't quite as 'alpine' as many of the others. Davids point is very valid regarding the growth of moss, and possibly algae on the surface 'swamping' the seedlings. This depends very much on the compost mix (open, airy, but moisture retentive ) and the growing environment ( good light, high humidity, no direct sunshine ). I find that this is still the same with spring sowings however . Cool and humid are I think the key factors. [ No one said they were easy ] 
If you are successful, don't let the small hibernacula freeze in winter.
If you're not successful with the seed i can send you plenty of gemmae, and hibernacula which will certainly let you get a good colony established. Please keep us informed of your results.

[David Pilling]

Hmmm, the pod I was given has only just been harvested. I guess I ought to sow it straight away. Isn't that what would happen in nature?

I can't argue with that.

I took the approach of sowing some immediately and keeping some for later. Spreading the risk.

Nature plays a different game to the gardener, out of all the seeds a single plant produces, which can be a very large number, only one has to succeed. The folk who sell you a packet of 10 on ebay definitely are playing a different game.

With these pings far less than one seed per plant will do because they produce hybernuncula so freely, they're a lot easier from hybernuncula (I got your message about these, and will try to remember).

Anyway, let us know how you go on.

[David Pilling]

Oops, it should be *hibernacula".

[Maren]

Thank you both. I think I know what to do next. Wish me luck.

[brianw]

My seedlings from last year are starting to show above the moss. The sun we had a couple of weeks back must have woken them up. I doubt day length has much to do with it. They are at 7C min.