Arisaema seed germination

[Anne Chambers]

In message <l03130301b2dda6e9c61f@[142.166.253.86]>, Rand Nicholson
<writserv at NBNET.NB.CA> writes
>Ray wrote:
>
>>Obviously the Deno Method (paper towels) is not for everyone. A
>>commercial grower would
>>go mad trying to keep tabs on the radicle emergence and keeping them from
>>growing into the paper.
>>
>>On the other hand, it works very well for those who start 5 of this and 5
>>of that and are more than
>>happy to keep tabs on the plants. Transplanting the seed with radicle
>>extended is the tricky part.
>>It needs to be done immediately as the radicle shows, and carefully.
>
>Here is a real no-brainer that works: You can also take a bit of _moist_
>(not wet) sphagnum moss, stuff it in the bag with the seeds and put it in
>the crisper until the seeds show signs of germination. As soon as the
>radicle shows, pot 'em up and away you go. I soak the seeds overnight and
>dust them with sulphur before I do this and don't get mold. I believe that
>the sphagnum helps, also.
>
>Kind Regards,
>
>Rand
>
>
>Rand Nicholson <writserv at nbnet.nb.ca>
>New Brunswick, Canada
>The Great White Frozen North

Rand is right about sphagnum - it does have antiseptic properties,
that's why it's good for germinating seeds on without mould growth. It
was used as an emergency field dressing for wounds sometimes. For the
same reason, dried sphagnum was used as an absorbent material before the
advent of babies' nappies (diapers in the US)!

Back to arisaemas! - I'd like to add my thanks to Craig and his team for
all their effort, much appreciated.

Anne
--
Anne Chambers