R: Sternbergia seed sowing

ang.por@alice.it ang.por@alice.it
Sat, 10 May 2008 01:07:18 PDT
 
No matter of how many weeks of chilly they get, they won't germinate now whatever you do. I think your low rate of germination is due to non correct storing. If you keep them in a refrigerator, this is wrong because the seeds need to 'feel' a dry summer with hot temperatures and only later many weeks of  watering with cooling temps. Sternbergia seeds have a fleshy aril around the seeds after ripening, which is spongy and swells in water. This is a mean of dispersal and thanks to this aril the seeds float. Try to put them in water now and will see how they float. This aril is active for some time, keeping moisture inside, but with the summer drought it will dry out totally. As long as this 'tissue' is alive the seed won't germinate, I believe a kind of inhibitor is present in that aril. 

Angelo Porcelli
Apulia - south of Italy






   








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