Help! I think, I killed them

[prussia]

My first experience of growing Hyacinthoides non-scripta from seed seems like is over .. for now.

I seeded them in January. After i took them out to a cold frame (with a plastic cover).

What I forgot about (winter stupidity), that that soil was wet in trays. And three days later we had - 15C at night.
And when I went to check on them .... soil was rock frozen.

I did take trays inside under light + 18-20C

But  my thought is it is useless. 

How to check if they are still germinatable?   

I am all ears ( or eyes?)  Thank you

[wooden shoe]

Well I don't think you should worry too much. These plants originate from Western Europe where it is pretty wet in winter and it does freeze too. The only thing that never occurs is +18C in winter so I would just let them be and store them somewhere cold and wet. I believe they need cold stratification and in that case cold from January on may not be enough so you may need to wait another year for full germination.
If your lowest temperature does not get much below -20C you could even sow them outside.

Rob

[Lesley Cox]

It is not physically possible to kill them. Not by frost or fire or nuclear blast or sticking them with voodoo curses.

[prussia]

Whew! Thanks Lesley and Rob ... that's a cheering news!
The case is (as far as I know) There is no one who grow them in Nova Scotia. And information on UK sites are sparse.
Maybe because you UK people know the culture of your Bells by heart. And here, in Nova Scotia,  it is a new adventure.   

[prussia]

It is not physically possible to kill them. Not by frost or fire or nuclear blast or sticking them with voodoo curses.

Is it like Japaneses Knotweed?  I hope they will not grow 3 meters tall lol

[vivienr]

I have never needed to germinate bluebells as I have about an acre of them and they manage it fine by themselves.
Given our current weather I cannot believe that cold, wet or mild heat would prevent them germinating but they will only show themselves if the light is to their liking. I would stick the pots outside in semishade and leave them to it. They may develop underground for a bit and pop up next year. I also think the seeds can remain viable in the soil for a long time as any ground I cultivate near the wood inevitably turns into a new bluebell patch. If you have definitely lost them I can send you seed in the summer if you need it (don't know what import regs you have, though).
If they do germinate just be careful where you plant them, as Lesley says, getting rid of them is impossible. I love mine in the wood but as they take over the garden they are not so nice. 

[Lesley Cox]

Mine grow to about 45 cms in flower. Those are the millions left after I have dug out the lot.

[gote]

It is not physically possible to kill them. Not by frost or fire or nuclear blast or sticking them with voodoo curses.

I humbly apologize fopr disagreeing with you    but you can kill them by frost.
In my place they only survive mild winters.
By the way; this morning we had -20°C
Göte

[prussia]

I have never needed to germinate bluebells as I have about an acre of them and they manage it fine by themselves.
Given our current weather I cannot believe that cold, wet or mild heat would prevent them germinating but they will only show themselves if the light is to their liking. I would stick the pots outside in semishade and leave them to it. They may develop underground for a bit and pop up next year. I also think the seeds can remain viable in the soil for a long time as any ground I cultivate near the wood inevitably turns into a new bluebell patch. If you have definitely lost them I can send you seed in the summer if you need it (don't know what import regs you have, though).
If they do germinate just be careful where you plant them, as Lesley says, getting rid of them is impossible. I love mine in the wood but as they take over the garden they are not so nice. 

Good day Vivien! That's exactly where I plan to plant them. In a woods. I have 3 acres, so, they can have half of it.

But I do believe ( considering they are your native species and temperature fluctuation and brutal winters time of time, will make it a wee difficult for them to get established. (We will see, what future shall show) But I do want them badly. there are a few design plans on my list.

Thanks for your generous offer.  I did buy them from England,(this spring) so I do not think there are any problems with mailing seeds.

[prussia]

It is not physically possible to kill them. Not by frost or fire or nuclear blast or sticking them with voodoo curses.

I humbly apologize fopr disagreeing with you    but you can kill them by frost.
In my place they only survive mild winters.
By the way; this morning we had -20°C
Göte

Hej Goete! Do you grow them? It would be great to hear your experience. 

[gote]

It is not physically possible to kill them. Not by frost or fire or nuclear blast or sticking them with voodoo curses.

I humbly apologize fopr disagreeing with you    but you can kill them by frost.
In my place they only survive mild winters.
By the way; this morning we had -20°C
Göte

Hej Goete! Do you grow them? It would be great to hear your experience. 

Hej hej!

I have some in the town garden which is much warmer having tall buildings all around.
Those in my country place only survie if planted bordering on the house where heat leaks from the basement.
I may have a more continental climate than Nova Scotia. I have had the ground frozen to 3 feet.
Very mild winters they will survive.

It is next to impossible to compare hardiness for bulbs in the ground since so many factors influence.
It is not only a question of minimum temperature but also for how many days and when in the season and what snow cover?
In your place I would try a few bulbs and see what happens.
Good Luck
Göte


 

[prussia]

[/quote]

Hej Goete! Do you grow them? It would be great to hear your experience. 
[/quote]

Hej hej!

I have some in the town garden which is much warmer having tall buildings all around.
Those in my country place only survie if planted bordering on the house where heat leaks from the basement.
I may have a more continental climate than Nova Scotia. I have had the ground frozen to 3 feet.
Very mild winters they will survive.

It is next to impossible to compare hardiness for bulbs in the ground since so many factors influence.
It is not only a question of minimum temperature but also for how many days and when in the season and what snow cover?
In your place I would try a few bulbs and see what happens.
Good Luck
Göte

You are right, Goete, about hardiness zone comparison. Our worst nightmare time is Spring .... humid, soggy wet and unpredictable frosts.
But I will give it a try ... who knows maybe they will like it here and will become a Nova Scotia native   

3 feet is it 90cm? 

 


[/quote]

[Lesley Cox]

It is not physically possible to kill them. Not by frost or fire or nuclear blast or sticking them with voodoo curses.

I humbly apologize fopr disagreeing with you    but you can kill them by frost.
In my place they only survive mild winters.
By the way; this morning we had -20°C
Göte

Ah well, about -6C is our lot.