Eryngium germination

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Jamus

  • Jr. Member
Eryngium germination
« on: July 30, 2013, 06:16:07 AM »

Does anyone have experience growing Eryngium species from seed? Last year I had good germination of Eryngium giganteum and raised a dozen or so good healthy seedlings but this year I'm having difficulty. I have sowed Eryngium giganteum and Eryngium leavenworthii, and had no germination from the former and ONE from the later. The one leavenworthii which came up pricked out successfully and is growing on but still nothing coming in the seedling trays... I had them in the fridge at 4 degrees for a couple of weeks and now have them back at room temperature. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Long hot summers, mild wet winters. Rainfall approx. 600mm pa.
Summer maximums over 40 degrees, winter minimums occasionally below freezing.
Gardening on neutral clay loam and sandy loam.

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Alisdair

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
Re: Eryngium germination
« Reply #1 on: July 30, 2013, 07:35:31 AM »
I think Eryngium seed may have low viability. Some years ago I had exactly the same result as you with E. leavenworthii (no special treatment, kept under cover in a frost-free greenhouse), and have had very low though slightly better germination with another (unknown) species from Turkey. But maybe it's as you imply - that there is a special treatment key that will unlock their germination!
Alisdair Aird
Gardens in SE England (Sussex); also coastal Southern Greece, and (in a very small way) South West France; MGS member (and former president); vice chairman RHS Lily Group, past chairman Cyclamen Society

Jamus

  • Jr. Member
Re: Eryngium germination
« Reply #2 on: July 30, 2013, 11:19:26 AM »
Frustrating since I had good success last year and I don't think I did anything special... ???  dumb luck I suppose. I'll keep trying.
Long hot summers, mild wet winters. Rainfall approx. 600mm pa.
Summer maximums over 40 degrees, winter minimums occasionally below freezing.
Gardening on neutral clay loam and sandy loam.