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From: Marge Talt <mtalt at CLARK.NET>
Subject: Re: Arisaema seed germination
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Maybe it's just dumb luck, but I've had about 100% germination from
all seed received from the seed exchange in the past, I think, 3
years.  I soak them with a drop of dishwashing liquid and sow on top
of seed compost and cover with granite grit.  Generally put them
outside as the seed arrive as my season is warming up.  Can't
remember any not showing a leaf upon germination - re: Ray's comment
about some that don't.  Seems to me some seedlings go dormant quite
quickly and some do not.  Can't remember any that waited a year to
germinate or seemed to need a cold period before germinating, either,
but must admit to not keeping great records on each pot:-)

Maybe I don't have those species...this is what I do have - or at
least what I have in my computer; would need to trot down and read
labels to confirm I still have pots of same - have many pots in
greenhouse at present:

A. consanguineum
A. sikokianum
A. flavum abbreviatum
A. speciosum v. mirabile
A. serratum
A. amurense
A.  ringens
A.  flavum
A.  sazensoo
A.  tortuosum
A. heterophyllum

In late winter, I upend the dormant pots and retrieve the tubers.
Some are still very tiny and some are between big pea and dime size.
I winter the pots in my cool (40F +-) greenhouse and try to remember
not to drown them while watering other things.  Seems I lose 2 or 3
out of the total that germinated, but am always happily surprised to
find that most of them are still there.  I repot in new media and
separate the larger tubers to individual pots. As of now, some are up
and growing and some haven't woken up yet, but those little tubers
were fine when repotted, so expect them any day.  Seems some poke up
about every day or so.

Not being assiduous about fertilizer or speeding up nature, the seeds
planted in '98 and '99 are now what I consider large enough to set
out in the garden this year.

I should think you'd want to cover the seeds, but those who have
grown many more than I have may have other advice.  Would not think
growing under lights would require doing things much differently than
growing them outside except that I'd run a fan to keep air
circulation good and keep an eye out for aphids who seem to enjoy
tender Arisaema foliage, at least in the greenhouse.

Have not grown Amorphophallus from seed, so have no clue on these.

Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt at clark.net
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----------
> From: Paul Tyerman <tyerman at DYNAMITE.COM.AU>
> Date: Thursday, April 19, 2001 9:10 AM
>
> Howdy All,
>
> I've read the information recommended in a couple of postings a few
days
> ago about germinating the wonderful seed we just got from Craig
(Thanks
> again).
>
> My query comes partly from being in the southern hemisphere (and
therefore
> opposite seasons) and also from just plain curiosity.
>
> Having read about planting the seed on top of mix and covering with
fine
> gravel (standard way I sow all my bulb seed, so no big revelation
to me....
> however GREAT to have it confirmed as the way of choice).... do the
seed
> require cold/time/?? to germinate?  Arisaema speciosum was already
> germinating when it got here so I've sowed it onto top of soil, but
left it
> uncovered and put it into a terrarium inside (we're just coming
into winter).
>
> Now is sowing on the surface acceptable?  Or should this only be
done when
> they are then covered in gravel?  I am currently soaking most of
the rest
> of the seed as also suggested.  I intend to sow it very shortly,
but am
> wondering whether it should be covered if I wish to sow it in pots
inside
> under light.  Therefore... does it need cold/heat to germinate?
Will
> particular conditions hasten its germination?
>
> Information would be greatly appreciated as this will be the first
time I
> have grown Arisaemas from seed (have not summed up courage to sow
seed I
> had previously received).  I sowed some Amorphophallus seed a while
ago
> that I was given...... lightly covered with mix.... and put them
into the
> terrarium but there's been no signs of germination at all.  Do THEY
need
> cold to germinate?
>
> Anyhow, enough questions.  Some answers would be great <grin>.
>
> Thanks in anticipation.
>
> Cheers.
>
> Paul Tyerman
> Canberra, Australia.  USDA equivalent - Zone 8
> mailto:tyerman at dynamite.com.au
>
> Growing.... Galanthus, Erythroniums, Fritillarias, Lilium, Aroids,
plus
> just about anything else that doesn't move!!!!!