I have seeds from a Clematis (Niobe) and don't know how to sow them. Somebody, anybody, PLEASE HELP!!!
Melissa
Help with clematis vine (Niobe) seeds!
Clematis hardy perennial that can take 30-270 days to germinate, need light, 70-75degrees, Well drained soil, plant 1/8" deep. See #6 and #16
#6. Sowing OCTOBER-FEBRUARY. Sow the seeds in John Innes seed compost, covering them
with a thin layer of compost. After watering place the seed container outside
against a North wall or in a cold frame, making sure they are protected against
mice, and leave them there until the spring. The compost should be kept moist
but not wet at all times, and if the seed containers are out in the open then
some shelter has to be given against excessive rain. In the spring bring the
seed containers into the greenhouse, or indoors on to a well lit but not sunny
windowsill and keep the compost moist. This should trigger off germination. If
the seeds do not germinate in the spring keep them in cool moist conditions
throughout the summer. As each seed germinates we would recommend that you
transplant it almost immediately into its own pot.
Sowing MARCH-SEPTEMBER. Sow in John Innes seed compost, or something similar,
and place each container in a polythene bag and put into the refrigerator (not
the freezer compartment) for 2-3 weeks. After this time place the containers
outside in a cold frame or plunge them up to the rims in a shady part of the
garden border and cover with glass or clear plastic. Some of the seeds may
germinate during the spring and summer and these should be transplanted when
large enough to handle. The remainder of the seeds may lay dormant until next
spring.
Germination of some items, particularly Alstroemeria, Clematis, Hardy Cyclamen
and Christmas Rose (Helleborus) may take take 18 months or more.
An alternative method for growing PRIMULAS is to sow in a peat based compost
which has already been moistened and do not cover the seed. Cover the container
with a piece of glass or plastic and grow in the dark in a steady temperature of
60F. This is quite adequate and over 65'F germination will be inhibited. When
the seeds start to germinate sprinkle a thin layer of fine compost over them and
when the seed leaves come through this, move the box to a well lit place with a
temperature of 55'F. At no time should the seed box be in full sun.
Hardy Cyclamen have been found to germinate best in total darkness at around
55-60'F. We have had good results with the following method. Place the seeds
between two pieces of damp filter paper, Kleenex tissue, etc., then put into a
polythene bag and place this into an opaque container in order to exclude all
light. Inspect the seeds after a month and remove and prick out as the seedlings
appear, returning the ungerminated seeds to total darkness.
16. Outdoor treatment
The above mentioned methods (12-15) accelerate the germination process and help
to prevent seeds being lost due to external hazards (mice, disease, etc.) but
outdoor sowing is just as effective albeit longer. The seeds are best sown in
containers of free draining compost and placed in a cold frame or plunged up to
their rim outdoors in a shaded part of the garden, preferably on the north side
of the house avoiding cold drying winds and strong sun.
Recent tests show that much of the beneficial effects of pre-chilling are lost
if the seed is not exposed to light immediately afterwards. We therefore
recommend sowing the seeds very close to the surface of the soil and covering
the container with a sheet of glass. An alternative method especially with
larger seeds, is to sow the seed in a well prepared ground, cover with a jam jar
and press this down well into the soil so that the seeds are enclosed and safe
from predators, drying out etc.
We would also recommend you consult No. 6 which contains further practical
suggestions regarding the special treatment of seeds.
copied from Thompson Morgan seed database
Here is another link ...may be useful
http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/clematis/seeds.htm#s1
and another
http://www.richardsdad.btinternet.co.uk/
http://dmoz.org/Home/Gardens/Plants/Perennials/Clematis/
This message was edited Friday, Aug 31st 10:49 AM
Thank you both. Forgot to click on watch this thread. DUH!!! Gotta try, the Niobe is beautiful.
Melissa