For those who'd like to try germinating seed of this plant, the following might be helpful:
1) Tom Cothier method - Su...Read Morerface sow at 20*C (68*F) in light; if no germination in 3 - 4 wks, move to -4*C to +4*C (24*F - 39*F) for 2 - 4 wks. Small seed, do not cover
2) In the 2nd edition of Norman C. Deno's book, Seed Germination Theory and Practice, he notes that seed of Ramonda myconi germinates best when it has been in dry storage for 6 months at 40*F, and then sown at 40*F for 3 months, followed by moving the pot to 70*F for 3 months. His research indicated that sowing fresh seed had poorer germination results.
Perhaps the main point to carry away from his work is to store the seed in dry storage at 40*F for 6 months after harvesting it in spring and/or early summer, and then to cycle the sown seed through warm and cold temperatures via various methods such as direct sowing, winter-sowing, or trundling the pot around indoors. Seems to me that there would be fewer problems with damping off fungus and accidents of nature with the winter-sowing method (although you would need to be extra vigilant about protecting the pots from slugs and snails).
However, if you decide to try it indoors, look up his comments elsewhere in PlantFiles on growing Haberlea rhodopensis, which he said was similar to germinating R. myconi and other gesneriads (or better yet - pounce on your own copy of his excellent book).
Perennial, native to the Pyrenees and mountains in North East Spain. Broad, ovate, wrinkled, toothed, dark green, hairy leaves forming a...Read More rosette. 1½ inch flowers with 5 blue-violet petals with a yellow corolla and yellow anthers froming a cone shape. The occasional pink or white flowers can be found.
Flowers May-July. Dislikes winter wet
Prefers moist, well drained soil in partial shade. Best grown on their sides so water doesn't accumilate in the rosette and cause rotting. If leaves wither in dry conditions they soon recover when watered.
Favourite of slugs and snails.
Sow seeds when ripe and protect from slugs and snails. Seedlings grow very slowly so do not prick out until there are several sets of leaves.
For those who'd like to try germinating seed of this plant, the following might be helpful:
1) Tom Cothier method - Su...Read More
Perennial, native to the Pyrenees and mountains in North East Spain. Broad, ovate, wrinkled, toothed, dark green, hairy leaves forming a...Read More