Sarr germination question

[sarracenia_X]

i had recieved some seeds of a Sarr. purpurea venosa burkii from a SASE 'bout a month ago , and they've been in the fridge ever since. i've started wonderin 'bout when exactly i should plant em. i know its gonna be awhile 'til they will be ready to plant, but i wanted to know what is the earliest date that you all would reccomend to plant Szrracenia seed? im planning to start these early as possible, inside, under a light, so that they can hve a bit of a head start in their first year.

 

[Not a Number]

You need to stratify them at least 4 weeks. As I recall Ellison found optimal stratfication for S. purpurea was 5 or 6 weeks (I'll have to look it up). I've posted his results before search on 'Ellison'.

There are numerous posts on the subject.

Here is the ICPS guide:

http://www.carnivorousplants.org/howto/Propagation/SarraceniaSeed.php

 

[dionae]

I start sarracenia seeds year round. I've noticed I stratify a lil longer than most. I stratify my seeds for 8-10 weeks and always get great germination.

 

[Steve Booth]

In answer to your question, you can start them off under lights and with heat after stratification at any time of year, as you should have optimum conditions all year round with that sort of set up.

Cheers
Steve

 

[Not a Number]

Here's Ellison's study:
http://www.amjbot.org/content/88/3/429.full.pdf

Optimal stratification length appears to be in relation to northern range limits of the species:

S. purpurea ssp purpurea - 6 weeks
S. alata, S. psitticina & S. leucophylla - 2 weeks (a negative effect on S. leucophylla at six weeks)
all the rest including S. purpurea ssp venosa - 4 weeks

Optimal results: highest germination rates and shortest times to germinate