Sowing Paris - any advice ?

[Robin Callens]

I took this pictures at Gothenburg Botanical Garden this summer! a Paris japonica in flower

Johan,

Have you ever seen berries on the Paris japonica at Gothenburg Botanical Garden?

[Johan Nilson]

Robin,

I have not! But Ill ask a friend that works in the garden if it ever set seed for them.

Nice pictures of your fantstic Podohyllum seedlings! I would love to grow them! Do you know were I can get seeds of the different Podophyllums? 

[Robin Callens]

Johan,

This late in the season all my Podophyllum seed is already given away or sown. Podophyllum seed needs to be sown fresh in order to have good germination. If you remind me next season (june-july) I will send you some seed of several species.

Robin

[Johan Nilson]

Robin,

That's very very kind! I would be really happy if you could do that.

I hope that I have something that could be of your interest in return.

[Stephen Vella]

It would be very interesting if this Paris japonica does set berrys if there's 2 clones at GBG.

Paris japonica thats getting around in the U.K and Europe is the same clonal plant thats been passed around for decades and this information is coming from a good source.Thats why nobody can get this one to set berrys.

But thats not to say there maybe new introductions, maybe from Chen YI. Has anyone tried to distribute the pollin and by chance you maybe able to pollinate your plant from pollin of a differant clone, fingers cross you may come across a differant clone.

Something to think about.

[Kristl Walek]

This concerns plain Jane Paris quadrifolia...

Trying to get things tucked away for winter, I worked my way through a huge pile of forgotten flats and pots in a corner; most of which the squirrels had already dug through, many of which had barely a semblance of soil left in them, as a result.

I was just about to toss one flat, when I looked closer and saw a sea of green. This was the Paris.

Moist packed immediately after collection.
The left-overs after seed sales were sown January, 2007
Put outside at that time, exposed to the elements (Eastern Canada)
Remained outside through summer and the following winter.

[Kristl Walek]

Podophyllum seed usually germinates in the spring after the first winter, exceptionally before winter.
I experienced also that if germination doesn't occur after the first winter it never does.

Robin (and Clint---thank you!!!!!!!!!)

Here is Podophyllum aurantiocaule from you (90% germinated by end of October, 2008) kept moist-packed in vermiculite and at room temperature.

Your P. pleianthum has also germinated about 20% treated the same way.

[Robin Callens]

Kristl,

Thank you very much for the seed you sent us!

There are 2 subspecies of Podophyllum aurantiocaule: P. aurantiocaule subspecies aurantiocaule has flowers usually in the petiole fork and produces black seed while Podophyllum aurantiocaule subspecies furfuraceum has flowers on the petiole near the upper leaf and produces red seed.

[Maggi Young]

Great information, everyone! Super photos, too, thank you!

[Kristl Walek]

There are 2 subspecies of Podophyllum aurantiocaule: P. aurantiocaule subspecies aurantiocaule has flowers usually in the petiole fork and produces black seed while Podophyllum aurantiocaule subspecies furfuraceum has flowers on the petiole near the upper leaf and produces red seed.

Thank you. That means I have the subspecies (red seed). Fascinating to me to know that the variety produces a different color seed.

[Paul T]

And that the variety actually has flowers in a different location to the species.  Seems very strange to have a subspecies with that much difference?  Having the flowers located differently is a pretty big difference?     Both look lovely, but I particularly like the ssp furfuraceum with the flowers on the stem below the upper leaf.  Very, very cool.

[Kristl Walek]

Podophyllum aurantiocaule ssp. furfuraceum, which mostly germinated by the end of October, 2008 after being kept moist-packed in vermiculite and at room temperature since harvest now looks like this (four flats full)!!!!!!

[Kristl Walek]

And, contrary to the belief that Podophyllum pleianthum requires a cold period---I would like to report the following:

On receipt of the seed in October, 2008 (moistened), I moist packed it in vermiculite and kept it at room temperature. About 20% germinated within the first month. But then in late December/early January 70% more germinated in moist packing. These are now lined up in flats and are just getting ready to unfurl their first leaves. I will post pictures soon.

[Robin Callens]

Posted by: Kristl Walek
Insert Quote
Podophyllum aurantiocaule ssp. furfuraceum, which mostly germinated by the end of October, 2008 after being kept moist-packed in vermiculite and at room temperature since harvest now looks like this (four flats full)!!!!!!

Kristl,

I am afraid that the seedlings on the photo are not Podophyllum aurantiocaule but P. hexandrum. Both have similar shaped cotyledons but the first real leaf is very different. P. hexandrum has a typical trilobed first real leaf while P. aurantiocaule's first real leaf is irregular lobed.
You mention that you have 4 flats full but I thought I sent you about 20 seeds of P. aurantiocaule. Could it be that you have mixed them up?

regards,
Robin & Clint

[Robin Callens]

Hi all,

Many Paris species are germinating at this moment, among them Paris delavayi and polyphylla var stenophylla. Here are some pics of both species sown in the autumn of 2006 and 2007. Cotyledons of the Paris species of the section Euthyra are all very similar in shape. Differentiation occurs from the first leaf stage on.

1) Paris delavayi cotyledon (sown in 2007)
2) Paris polyphylla var stenophylla cotyledon (sown in 2007)
3) Paris delavayi first leaf (sown in 2006)
4) Paris polyphylla var stenophylla first leaf (sown in 2006)