Observations and theory of Galanthus germination

[Maggi Young]

That would be right, John. Those babies are all grass-like  - good reason to keep careless weeders away from your seed pots!

[johnstephen29]

Should I leave it outside Maggi or bring it indoors

[Maggi Young]

We've got a cold glass house, John and that is where we'd take the germinating snowdrops- our winter weather is so grotty and it is easier to protect them from slugs .  They don't need any heat - just not to be completely frozen - so no need to fetch them into the house or a heated greenhouse. Have you got "cold glass" as we call it?

[johnstephen29]

Yeah I know what you mean Maggi, but no I haven't. I need to keep my greenhouse frost free so I heat it. I have a porch in the house that will do the job, it's unheated and frost free. I'll put the pot in there, thanks for the advice Maggi.

[partisangardener]

The update of Germination of different species. G. nivalis was latest but very simultaneously

[partisangardener]

For a conclusion I have drawn this germination pattern.

At first a tube which forms the later bulb, secondly this grows first root and expands somewhat. In the last stages a first leaf emerges. All this will happen in the year of seed ripening.  The first stages before frost happens.

Only very few had several roots in this aspect my picture is wrong. Mainly one root which grew longer in the process

[partisangardener]

My theory with Galanthus Germination is now such:
Fresh seed sown at once will germinate in late summer/autumn near 100 %
Dried seed will acquire inhibition of germination and will germinate after a cold spell with a lesser percentage, partly after another year, partly not at all. I know such cases for example with Pulsatilla species.

Maybe in the latter case GA3 might be helpful?

[Tim Harberd]

Thanks for sharing these thoughts and pictures with us Axel.

Very interesting.

Tim DH

[emma T]

Those are some excellent observations , thanks for sharing

[mark smyth]

I would have resisted knocking out those seedlings

[Maggi Young]

I would have resisted knocking out those seedlings

But how would Axel be able to  make the study and report on his finding if he did not do that? It's an experiment.

[partisangardener]

I put them gently back and hope most will survive. I must admit that it was always a small portion of each pot I sacrificed for science.

[emma T]

Sometimes things have to be sacrificed for science . Thank you for the experiment

[johnstephen29]

Hi Emma did your boss manage to get hold of any seeds of trojanus?

[emma T]

Mmm I don't think they have ordered them yet .....I will start reminding them daily till they do ha ha or I will go get petty cash and do it myself !