Placea ornata germination

[Rogan]

Floating seeds on water in the refrigerator seems to work quite well for this genus. Several years ago I did this to P. ornata and now I have a dozen healthy plants rearing to go. This year I am doing the same to a different form of P. ornata and the seeds are germinating on the water as we speak - five days later! It would be great to get this plant to flowering size as it is very beautiful and not often seen.

[Maggi Young]

I didn't know about this germination aid, Rogan.... delighted to hear it is working...... don't you just love it when a plan comes together!! 

[Lesley Cox]

What is this plant Rogan? Does it grow in water? (You can save me the trouble of Googling )

[Rogan]

Hi Lesley,

Placea is closely related to other South American genera, e.g Rhodophiala, Habranthus, etc. but the flowers are less funnel-shaped and may be white, pinkish or yellowish depending on the species. The main feature which sets them apart is the small purplish "involucral cup" in the centre of the flower from which emerges the stigma and stamens, bringing Narcissus to mind. Try this link for more information and pictures:

http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/Placea

[Lesley Cox]

Thanks Rogan, I shouldn't be so lazy, and do my own looking up! It looks very nice and not what one would expect to germinate in/on water. Worth trying with related genera do you think?

[fermi de Sousa]

Thanks Rogan, I shouldn't be so lazy, and do my own looking up! It looks very nice and not what one would expect to germinate in/on water. Worth trying with related genera do you think?

Lesley,
flat seed of Zephyranthes and Habranthus are quite suitable for this method of germination.
Problems occur with seeds going mouldy before they can germinate (even with sterilized conatiners and water) and disentangling the roots of the seedlings when transfering to a growing medium.
In the long run it seems just as easy to sow in potting mix!
cheers
fermi

[Rogan]

"It looks very nice and not what one would expect to germinate in/on water"

"In the Fridge" (4'C) - research has shown that this is a requirement for the germination of Placea. The low temperature prevents the rapid growth of fungus spores and I don't leave them floating on water long enough for the roots to become entangled -just the start of germination.

I have used this method quite successfully on other South American Amaryllidaceae too, e.g. Rhodophiala, and also for Primula polyanthus hybrids and Cyclamen species too (these don't float, of course). I fancy the long soak with frequent changes of cold water may leach out any germination inhibitors present in the seedcoat. Tropaeolum and Leucocoryne species also seem to benefit by being treated in this manner.

[ashley]

Very interesting Rogan.  Presumably for seeds that don't float the greater oxygen solubility at 4 ^oC prevents them from 'drowning', or do you keep them in very shallow water? 

[Rogan]

"or do you keep them in very shallow water?"

1 - 2 cm at most, Ashley. More experimentation is obviously required to prove that this method is advantageous to species other than Placea, or do I just like keeping things in the fridge because it reminds me of cold beer...   

[Rogan]

Here are the results of my "soakings" (Hic!) nearly one month later - also a pot of Barnhaven Polyanthus "Victorian" seedlings by the same method. Germination must be very close to 100%:

[JoshY46013]

I've never had luck germinating Placea seed, I have some Placea ornata seed now that I'm going to try to germinate this way   With flat papery amaryllids I usually have 90% germination using the flotation technique!


Josh

[Rogan]

"I have some Placea ornata seed now that I'm going to try to germinate this way"

Hi Josh, I'm just curious to know whether you had any success with your Placea seed using the germination method I described above?