Hepatica 2010

[Rodger Whitlock]

I've tried using pantyhose fabric to collect seeds of Anemone caucasica, but have found that the smallest available size of self-seal (zip lock) plastic bag is better because it's much easier to put on. You leave the opening slightly unsealed around the stem so there's some air circulation.

You can buy these bags about 1" square at dealers in plastics.

This method worked very well last year and I intend to use the same method to capture seed from my hepaticas (nothing special) this year.

[chris]

Diane, maby I start to drink thea instead of coffee, last year I also have problems withe mice eating the seeds in my selfmade bags.
Aaron, a hilside ful of Hepatica must be heaven on earth,
here two from seed harvest in 2007

[angie]

Hi Vilma,  thanks for asking the question about Hepatica seeds. I haven't had much luck with seeds ( only meconopsis ) and I am wanting to learn more. Isn't it great the help and advice that we receive from our forum friends.
Thanks Angie

[Diane Clement]

Diane, maby I start to drink thea instead of coffee, last year I also have problems withe mice eating the seeds in my selfmade bags.
Aaron, a hilside ful of Hepatica must be heaven on earth,
here two from seed harvest in 2007 

Two very nice ones Chris, the first one incredibly hairy!

[Maggi Young]

Back on page ten of this thread.......
http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=4882.msg139686#msg139686
Reply #137 on: March 03, 2010, 08:50:06 PM .... Chris showed us pix of a pink H.yamatutai which very clearly showed the notched calyx bracts ( probably not the proper name for these, sorry) whereas in most of the other photos I see on this thread these bracts seem to be simple, entire oval shapes.

Is the notched form unusual, confined to only a certain type ? I find it rather attractive and wondered how prevalent a feature this might be? I'' repeat Chris' photos here for reference:

[johnw]

I haven't had much luck with seeds ( only meconopsis )
Thanks Angie

Angie - You seem to have jumped to the head of the class!

johnw

[chris]

Maggy, I looked to my other H.yamatutai and they have all the notched form, even the double one and the one with the marbled leave,  on the white one it is not so strong and sometimes no notched forms, my H.henryi dont have it at all,
some more pix to show it

[Diane Clement]

Is the notched form unusual, confined to only a certain type ? I find it rather attractive and wondered how prevalent a feature this might be? I''

I agree this bract shape is particular to, and characteristic of, H yamatutoi.

Flora of China (although classifying H yamatutoi as H henryi) says:
involucral bracts margin entire or 3-toothed, apex acute.

[Maggi Young]

Chris, Diane, thank you very much.
Next question..... could this feature be bred into hybrids?

[chris]

I will try it this year, Maggy, just wait another 3 years and you now it,

[Maggi Young]

I will try it this year, Maggy, just wait another 3 years and you now it,

I will wait happily to see what happens!

[Vilma D]

Hepatica acutiloba tends to have a sweet fragrance like what we call Jawbreaker candies here in the US. It is especially strong on still warm spring days when you can smell it coming down a hillside full of Hepatica. I have not noticed this in H. americana. A friend in Japan says certain populations of H. japonica are also "fragrant" which he likened to womens powder makeup.

 Collecting seed in the wild is based on timing. Normally seeds are ripe about 4-6 weeks after flowering, but this changes on temperature during the ripening process. I missed them in the wild last year in nearly every population I visited due to a week of warm weather.

Dear Aaron, thank you for sharing this information .  I've spent a good few minutes trying to smell my H. acutilobas today (in fact, this late afternoon).  I couldn't catch the scent (it takes a special H.acutiloba or a special nose ). 

Please, it would be nice to hear about the H. nob. var japonicas that have the fragrance.
 

Isn't it great the help and advice that we receive from our forum friends.
Thanks Angie

I agree with you, Angie  . 

Dear Gail, Diane and Rodger, thank you for the invaluable tips.  You make it so much easier for the inexperienced and impatient .

[Vilma D]

Dear Chris, a wonderful collection of hepaticas! There must be hundreds of them in your garden and alpine house/-s.    It must be pretty special when Spring comes into your yard. Thank you for sharing with us 

[Ragged Robin]

I haven't had much luck with seeds ( only meconopsis )
Thanks Angie

Angie - You seem to have jumped to the head of the class!

johnw

I agree, this is obviously your speciality Angie and no mean feat to grow meconopsis....I can't wait to see the results later on

[Afloden]

Chris,

 Here is a mountain side with Hepatica. Sadly most in this population are white, but the white tend to have more fragrance. These on a sunny warm day smell really good. Not all H. acutiloba have fragrance. I have noticed those from Missouri and Arkansas do not have much, but those from east Tennessee and Georgia do have some. Even then it varies from population to population and within populations.

 I wish I knew more about the H. japonica with fragrance. I had a single plant once that died. Now I only have seedlings in their second year. I may have information on where they came from.

 Aaron