Arum germination - a reminder

[Ellen Hornig]

Nancy Greenwood's posting about AEG seed germination implied that her Arum
euxinum were no good, or at least underperforming, in that they were dark
and shrivelled and had not germinated. Nancy, and anyone else who thinks
arums should *do* something: don't hold your breath!  I have some A.
euxinum germinating now that were planted in early 1997 (also from Berndt
Peters) - along with several other species planted at the same time.
Arums can take a lot of time, and several rotations from warm to cool,
before they germinate.

Rather than use the Deno paper-towel method on these very slow seeds, I
would plant them in a gritty, free-draining mix and leave them to follow
nature's cycles (except that I would be sure they spend fall through
spring in a cool location that is still above freezing). While several
species (certainly italicum) will come up within 2 months at 50-55F,
others will take years.  Best to forget them and then let yourself be
pleasantly surprised when, or if, they finally germinate.

Ellen

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Ellen Hornig
Seneca Hill Perennials
3712 Co. Rte. 57
Oswego, NY 13126
USDA zone 5b (mintemps -10 to -20F)
Phone:(315)342-5915
Website: www.senecahill.com