Arisaema griffithii & var pradhanii Seed?

[GordonT]

Helo Forumists,

I have been trying to find specific information on germination protocol for Arisaema griffithii and var pradhanii. My usual strategy is to pre-germinate the seeds in moist paper towel enclosed in a zip lock bag - all at room temperature. This has worked for most species, with the notable exception being Arisaema nepenthoides (still coveting this).

I have just bundled my exchange seeds into damp towel, and into bags. Should they be placed in the refrigerator for cold stratification (at 3C) for several weeks, or should I leave them out at room temperature?

I would hate to lose these, as they are very uncommon in Nova Scotia.

[Maggi Young]

Some discussion on germinating Arisaema seeds here :
http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=6880.0    which may be of help  .... and the  International Aroid Society   has  this page .....  http://www.aroid.org/horticulture/aseedg.php  with advice on her methods by Ellen Hornig, formerly of Seneca Hills Nursery.

[Gene Mirro]

I can germinate nearly every species of Arisaema except for griffithi.  I have tried seed from many different sources.  I have tried many recommended methods.  My success rate is 0%.  I suspect that the seed is dead on arrival, because it rots very quickly when exposed to moist potting mix.

[GordonT]

I can germinate nearly every species of Arisaema except for griffithi. My success rate is 0%.  I suspect that the seed is dead on arrival, because it rots very quickly when exposed to moist potting mix.

That has been my experience with nepenthoides - every attempt at germination has ended with 100% failure to launch. I was lucky to get griffithii seeds via the latest SRGC seed exchange- hopefully some of them will germinate. I am still looking for seed of Arisaema candidissimum and nepenthoides (to try the latter again!). I have had great luck with other species (ciliatum, consanguineum, fargesii, heterophyllum, jaquemontii, ovale, serratum, sikokianum, and tortuosum). Would definitely like to add  candidissimum, griffithii, and nepenthoides to the "success" list!

[ferdinand]

I sowed the seeds ordered from Alpine Garden Society this year, on the 1st January. A. jacquemontii (currently 7 seedlings) and A. nepenthoides (currently 4 seedlings) germinated on 22nd January. Today Arisaema consanguineum has germinated. For other species (ciliatum, griffithii, ringens, speciosum) I´m still waiting.
The pots I put in a room with temperatures of 20-22 degrees.
I have sown arisaemas´ seeds quite successfully also in the previous years. I would say that the bigger problem is keeping the seedlings through the winter (stored in a frost-free room). One year old tubers of some species didn´t shoot due to becoming too dry in the next year.

[Leena]

Last winter I sowed A.nepenthoides, and got no germination. I have kept the pot, giving it now cold stratifying, hoping that cold was what it needed to germinate, but apparently not, since ferninand's A.nepenthoides had germinated in warm. Too bad, I was so hoping to have it.

[ferdinand]

I am satisfied.  Eight seeds of A. nepenthoides have already germinated. A germination has not slowed down by transferring the pots into a cooler room with 15 to 19 degrees Celsius. I have´t counted seeds before sowing, but I think they have all germinated.

[GordonT]

The first seedling of Arisaema griffithii, var pradhanii (from the 1st round  SRGC  2013/14 exchange) has cleared the soil surface! I am still waiting on plain old A. griffithii. Hopefully they will show some sign of life soon. Arisaema candidissimum seeds germinated far more quickly. I will keep everything growing as long as possible. In the past I have managed to take seedling tubers through at least two growth cycles per year- thanks to the refrigerator!