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[dmaroni at email.unc.edu]

hardy  Aroids)" <ARISAEMA-L at NIC.SURFNET.NL>
From: Donna Maroni <dmaroni at EMAIL.UNC.EDU>
Subject: Seed Germination Progress
In-Reply-To: <98Mar27.180051-0500_est.65627-70832+67 at email.unc.edu>
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> Hey Donna,
>
> How's the agar method working?

Ray,

Ray, I know it is me you are calling.  I've been trying to keep my head
down because you've been so good about reporting germination percentages,
etc.  I, in contrast, just got piggish and didn't bother keeping track of
anything. I'm absolutely flabbergasted with what I got from AEG and how
well it has all done.

Until I can compile a list, let me summarize as follows:  I received abou=t
19 varieties from AEG and many germinated close to 100% on paper a la
Deno. Even some that had molded badly germinated; e.g., I thought elephas
was a total loss, but just yesterday, one radicle emerged (is that what i=t
is called?).  A. griffithii from NARGS was a total loss--seeds molded
almost immediately and none germinated.

Once transferred to agar, all seedlings unfurled their leaves beautifully
and most are now in soil.

So here's a question for you--how do I keep them growing for as long as
possible?  I think I mentioned to you that last year my sikokianum went
dormant very early.  I'd rather not have that happen again if I can avoid
it.

Despite the early dormancy, and despite the fact that you gave me some
cockamamie instructions about watering dormant arisaemas once every 11.78
days, 63 second year sikokianum seedlings have now emerged.  And I have
another 40 or so that might or might not pop out.  These were kept in a
greenhouse that we maintain at minimum temp of 40 deg C.  None of this
refrigerating/forcing for me--tried that once and had a near total crop
failure.

And here's another question.  How the heck am I going to protect a field
of sikokianum when we get these dumb late freezes? The parents of my
seedling crop once again emerged just in time to get zapped.  Covering a
few plants grown in open ground is one thing; covering a few dozen is
something else again. Or does a true Arisaema Enthusiast install some sor=t
of motorized canapy for frost protection?

Donna