Update on my sarracenia sowing experiment

[allysnapper]

So I started a little experiment on sowing sarracenia seeds around mid March. And now I think it's time to see the result I got.
Species: Sarracenia leucophylla
Time seeds harvested: mid-late Feb.
Group 1: No stratification, sowed on sphagnum moss and perlite mix, kept in sealed bag.
Germination rate: 13/25, 52%.
Timeline: first seed germinated 2 weeks after sowing, and it took about 1 month from 1st germination to 13th.

Group 2: 10 days stratification, sowed on sphagnum moss, kept in sealed bag.
Germination rate: 23/25, 92%
Timeline: first germinated 2 weeks after sowing, and it took about 1 week from 1st germination to 23rd.

Conclusion:
1. Stratification definitely helps germination, at least in S.leucophylla;
2. For S.leucophylla, 1 week stratification should be enough for a 90%+ germination rate;
3. Unstratified seeds need way more time to germinate, be patient!

 

[nimbulan]

It surprises me that the unstratified seeds had that high of a germination rate, and that 10 days was enough for the stratified seeds. The usual recommendation is 4-6 weeks!

 

[curtisconners]

My thoughts exactly, nimbulan. I've never grown sarracenia from seed, but if I did I would have stratified them for the entire winter.

 

[allysnapper]

I was also surprised by the germination rate, but that's just what happened. And S.luecophylla is a special case that doesnt require a long stratification period, I've seen in other forum that their recommendation for this species stratification was 2wks.

 

[nimbulan]

I've seen information stating that stratifying S. leucophylla for 6 weeks can reduce germination rates, but never a recommendation for a shorter period. I'll have to remember that for the future.

 

[hcarlton]

I always stratify for 4 weeks unless it's one of the northern purp forms (then it's 6); leucophylla has been noted as having that odd tendency to decrease germination success after about 4 weeks' time, but never heard of stratification of only a week being enough.

 

[dr_donut]

I should try this myself after this growing season.

 

[plantsnfish]

I agree, will have to try. One week seems just way to short.

 

[allysnapper]

I always stratify for 4 weeks unless it's one of the northern purp forms (then it's 6); leucophylla has been noted as having that odd tendency to decrease germination success after about 4 weeks' time, but never heard of stratification of only a week being enough.

Haha, I was planning to do a 2wks stratification, but being a little bit impatient and took it out earlier. The results did surprise me, but I'm sure there were others that did 2wks stratification and got pretty high germination rate.

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I agree, will have to try. One week seems just way to short.

Let me know how yours turned out, I will definitely do this again next spring.

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I should try this myself after this growing season.

Do it! and pls let me know how it turned out!

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Not sure if sealed bag method helped it to some extent.

 

[dr_donut]

Have you tried this with different species?

 

[allysnapper]

Have you tried this with different species?

Nope, just S.leucophylla.