Germinating Arum

Bill Janetos wjanetos@yahoo.com
Thu, 15 Aug 2013 10:16:20 PDT
Hi Everyone,
I was the one who collected the Arum seeds, The fruit had turned red but was washed off after harvesting in mid July. None I mine have germinated yet, but remain hopeful they will soon. They will return to into indoor growing areas before I try acclimating to my outside areas in Zone 6. 

Bill Janetos


________________________________
 From: Tom Mitchell <tom@evolution-plants.com>
To: pbs@lists.ibiblio.org 
Sent: Thursday, August 15, 2013 12:35 PM
Subject: Re: [pbs] Germinating Arum
 

> Message: 1
> Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2013 19:24:55 -0400
> From: "J.E. Shields" <jshields@indy.net>
> Subject: [pbs] Germinating Arum
> To: Pacific Bulb Society <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org>
> Message-ID: <5.1.0.14.2.20130814192257.030e42a0@pop.indy.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"; format=flowed
> 
> I need advice on how to germinate seeds of Arum sp. from Eastern Europe.
> 
> I have been soaking them in several changes of water since receiving them a 
> week or two ago.  None have germinated so far, at least as far as I can 
> tell by looking.
> 
> Do they need stratification to induce germination?
> 
> Jim Shields
> 
> *************************************************
> Jim Shields             USDA Zone 5
> P.O. Box 92              WWW:    http://www.shieldsgardens.com/
> Westfield, Indiana 46074, USA
> Lat. 40? 02.8' N, Long. 086? 06.6' W
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 2
> Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2013 19:28:37 -0400 (EDT)
> From: The Silent Seed <santoury@aol.com>
> Subject: Re: [pbs] Germinating Arum
> To: pbs@lists.ibiblio.org
> Message-ID: <8D0675D2275893B-AA4-2CBFC@webmail-d274.sysops.aol.com>
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> 
> 
> 
> I have germinated many Arum, by planting 1/2 inch under the soil surface, and kept moist. Some took longer - but many, if not all, did germinate. They received no pretreatment of any kind. 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 3
> Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2013 16:42:18 -0700
> From: Paul LICHT <plicht@berkeley.edu>
> Subject: Re: [pbs] Germinating Arum
> To: Pacific Bulb Society <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org>
> Message-ID:
>     <CAEFbX2Qe=ionBF1==3=50DpgkDJ2MhbiKQyxWz9bBoqXQQOHtg@mail.gmail.com>
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> 
> Not all are equal.  I find that some cold treatment speeds things up. In
> any case, germination often does not begin for 2-4months and then can be
> spread out.  I   like to use the 'deno' method: put on wet paper towels in
> a ziploc baggie, but check them regularly Pot as they begin to root.
> Paul
> 
> -- 
> Paul Licht, Director
> University of California Botanical Garden
> 200 Centennial Drive
> Berkeley, CA 94720
> (510)-643-8999http://botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu
> 

I have germinated a lot of wild collected Arum seeds without stratification. If sown promptly after ripening, most seem to germinate before the onset of fall. Others germinate after the first winter but I have the impression this is more to do with germination inhibitors than a need for stratification, per se. In discussion with Peter Boyce a couple of years ago, he wrote that there is evidence that the pulp surrounding seeds contains germination inhibitors and that removing the seeds from the pulp relatively early encourages quick germination. Obviously with wild-collected seed, you can't choose when they are collected...

Tom




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