Propagation

Gentian seeds are germinating in two weeks with GA-3. I dissolved a pinch of GA-3 in about 1/4 cup of water. I surface-sowed the seeds, and carefully watered them in with a fine mist. I then applied GA-3 to the surface of the potting mix with an eye dropper. The containers were then covered with clear plastic, and placed 6 inches under cool white fluorescents, at roughly 60F. Don't go too much warmer than that. G. sceptrum, calycosa, puberulenta, and clusii are germinating strongly now.

Hi all,

I have the new 2012-13 Pavelka list; it wasn't on the website (not the one I have anyway) but an email got me the new list.. If anyone wants, you can email me off forum and I'll forward it, otherwise you can email Mojmir Pavelka directly from his website:
http://www.pavelkaalpines.cz/ (that page still has the old list so far)

This is a good place to record tips, warnings, notes, times, advice, explanations, etc., on seed collection.

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Ruellia humilis

Sometimes I'm not so bright, and it took me a couple years to figure out how this one works. The story of discovery would be long, but it would suffice to say that it involves mice, a cupboard and a table top.

I am not a great expert at growing and raising ferns from spores but we do grow an increasing number of species in the garden and they are fascinating to propagate. Early autumn is a good time to collect spores and this is an example from a frond of Polystichum acrostichoides left to dry out for a day or two between two sheets of paper. This fern has sori running all the way along the pinnae (which is what gives it its name) and hence the spores have been deposited in lines.

Any information about germination of this seed? I know most Townsendias are warm germinators, but I've heard that this one requires a bit of stratification.

The foliage on the Ipomoea leptophylla seedlings I started some time ago has gradually turned yellow, and eventually dried up on 3 out of the 4 seedlings that were previously growing well. The last seedling is getting yellowish now too. I don't believe it's overwatering, as they are in a fast-draining mix, and have been watered on the same schedule as other alpine seedlings. I knocked the soil out of the one of the pots and found a large, healthy-looking white root. Is this some sort of dormancy behavior?

Has anyone tried to germinate dactylorhiza seed by any method? Any luck? Suggestions? I just got Growing Hardy Orchids from Kew Books and it explains the basics of symbiotic (with fungi) and asymbiotic seed starting methods. With some work, luck and money it is a viable kitchen table activity. Years ago I did a bit of lily tissue culture at home with reasonable success so I know it's possible to keep the work area sterile enough to prevent contamination. I also have tucked away in my bomb shelter (really!

I received see of Colchicum sp. from the surplus exchange.

Any recommendations on sowing instructions. Most information I've found refers to fresh seed. Since the seed isn't fresh, should I wait until fall and sow outdoors?

Thank you,
Julie

Looking back over the 2011 thread is very stimulating. We sowed quite a bit of home collected seed last autumn and this is mostly outside in a cold frame; germination probably won't occur for a couple of months, though our mlld winter so far may not be sufficient to provide the stratification that is necessary for some plants. I am now going through seed from Alplains, Holubec and other collectors, and the seed exchanges to divide it into groups requiring different conditions. Quite a bit will go into the fridge after sowing for 6 to 8 weeks.