Unusual seed germination

[Adam Fikso]

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Jim.  Maybe not kiushianum, or can employ hypogeal germination, as =needed?  Keep us informed? Adam



----- Original Message ----- 
From: Jim McClements, Dover, DE z6 
To: ARISAEMA-L at NIC.SURFNET.NL 
Sent: Tuesday, February 07, 2006 8:31 PM
Subject: Unusual seed germination


Maybe some of you have experienced this, but I don't think I ever =have.

I colllected seed of A. kiushianum in November, cleaned and soaked =them in detergent solution overnight, rinsed and put them in a damp =paper towel on 11-28.

By 12-16 many had radicles developing, so  planted all (about 60) in a =pot of compost (Biocomp) and put them under lights. Usually this leads =to many sprouting seedlings in a short time.

However, yesterday (2-6), having not seen any sign of seedlings =sprouting, I dug around in the pot and found at least 24 "tuberets", =most without rootlets, all firm and healthy-appearing.

It appears that the first stage of growth had been subterranean, and =that the tubers were what I usually find after a few months of seedling =existence. I replanted them in the pot, put it back into the plastic bag =and refrigerated it. I'll take them out in 2-3 months and see what =happens.

As I said above, I have never seen this with any arisaema species =previously, and I have been using the same method for many years. =However, I have NOT had A. kiushianum seeds previously, so perhaps it is =a species characteristic.

Any comments?

Jim



Jim McClements
50 S. Prestwick Ct.
Dover, Delaware 19904, USA
Zone 7a
302-734-2836
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