[Arisaema-l] Arum Seed

[DAVID LEEDY]

Thanks for the idea, Al.
 
When I collected, hybridized, and grew tropical aroids, I used milled sphagnum moss as a seed starting media.  I have gotten some of this to use following your method.  I think the milled sphagnum is easier to deal with.
 
Also, I think that it probably more important to use this with the germinated seed, so I have mixed it with the normal seed starter mix that I have been using.
 
We shall see.
 
David Leedy

--- On Wed, 9/19/12, Al Wootten <awootten at nrao.edu> wrote:


From: Al Wootten <awootten at nrao.edu>
Subject: Re: [Arisaema-l] Arum Seed
To: arisaema-l at science.uu.nl
Date: Wednesday, September 19, 2012, 8:52 AM


Congratulations!

Although I had success with this technique of sprouting seeds, I also had problems with mold or rot.  Since then, I've put the seeds in a layer of moist sphagnum moss on the towel in the plastic bag.  I don't have statistics but I didn't lost any of that bunch.

I've moved to a new house now and will need to do a lot of sprouting this year to enjoy Arisaema and Arum and Amorphophallus...

Clear skies,
Al
+--------------------------------------------------------+
| Alwyn  Wootten   (http://www.nrao.edu/)                |
| Interim Asst. Director, N. American ALMA Science Center|
| Natl Radio Astronomy Observatory                       |
| 520 Edgemont Road, Charlottesville, VA 22903-2475, USA |
+----------------------------------^-----^-----^-----^---+
On 9/19/12 8:24 AM, DAVID LEEDY wrote:
> I was a newby to the Arisaema Enthusiasts Group (AEG) last Fall.Â
> That was also my first season of trying to grow hardy aroids.  My
> experience with arisaema tubers was a disaster and I lost many rather
> expensive ones.   I would like to try some of the “easier� ones
> this next year, if I can find them.  However, my experience with
> Arum tubers was moderately successful (only killed one). Â In
> February 2012, I received a good number of arum seed (the 2011
> distribution) through the AEG.  Following the directions of that
> group and/or some directions I received from others, I placed each
> batch of seed in hot water and left it for 24 hours. Â Then, after
> attempting to re-clean each seed, I placed it on a paper towel sheet,
> sprinsed that sheet with water, folded it into 1/9th size.  I then
> folded that moist paper towel sheet into a second paper towel sheet,
> which I also sprinsed with water and placed the “package� into a
> small plastic bag.  I then placed these small plastic bags into a
> plastic box, located on top of my refrigerator, the warmest spot in
> the house. Â The germination of Arisaema seed was very successful and
> before long I had well over 150 Arisaema seedlings (many didn’t
> make it further).  However, none of the arum seed germinated and
> many rotted. Â By July 2012, six months later, I was ready to try my
> second batch of arum seed (the 2012 distribution), Â having read that
> arum seed can take up to 120 days to germinate.  This batch I
> intended to cold stratify by placing the plastic bag in the
> refrigerator, where it was cold.  I also placed the few bags
> remaining of what appeared to be viable seed from the 2011
> distribution into the refrigerator. Â Upon checking for the first
> time, about 45-50 days later, on September 15, 2012, I found all of
> the (2011 distribution) Arum cyrenaicum (13 seed) and all of the
> (2011 distribution) Arum purpeospathum (17 seed) had sprouted.  None
> of the 2012 distribution seed had yet sprouted as well as the few
> remaining plastic bags of 2011 distribution seed, which also had not
> sprouted. Â None-the-less, I am elated that for the first time I have
> managed to germinate arum seed.  And, like most plant collectors,
> gardners, and horticulturalists, I enjoy my successes and forget
> about my failures. Â David Leedy Â
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________ Arisaema-L mailing
> list Gallery: http://botu07.bio.uu.nl/temperate/?gal=arisaema Site:
> http://botu07.bio.uu.nl/Arisaema-L


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