Perennials: clematis seeds

well ,after all these years ,I figured out what it was that I was doing wrong.

I was planting seeds that were not totally formed

The ones on the right are from Nellie Moser
The ones on the left are Niobe

I was out there collecting those seed heads when I suddenly saw BIG seeds on the ends of just a few.Out of 20 or so Niobe seed heads I only got a few with seeds,Nellie Moser only had 2 with a real seed.

you can see from the picture what the unformed seeds,that I've been planting all these years ,and never getting any to germinate,look like next to REAL seeds

Now it remains to be seen if I can get the real thing to grow...LOL

Yep, you got it. Here is a good link.http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/clematis/seeds.htm#s2

Crestedchik,

Have you germinated clematis seeds before? It takes a lot of patience, but it's definitely worth the trouble. When you grow hybrids such as "Niobe" and "Nellie Moser", they probably will not look like the parents, but you may discover a whole cultivar. I use clematis species seeds, which will look like the parent. Here is a link on growing clematis from seed. They do a much better job describing the process. http://www.richardsdad.btinternet.co.uk

Please contact me if you would like some seeds from Clematis species.

Shirley

I checked out both the links,neither one says how long I should leave them in the cold.
Should I just pot them up and wait till spring to bring them into the GH to germinate?

CC, I think Mystic and Badseed both have grown them from seed, maybe they will come along soon.

CC I put them in milk jugs and put outside all winter. Then in the spring bring them into the green house. Sometimes they take along time so don't give up.

Yes, definitely leave them outside all winter. Make sure the soil does not dry out. In the spring, bring them inside to warm up for 3-4 months. This will break the seeds dormancy and cause it to sprout. Good Luck!

Shirley1md,you have been extreamly helpful.......THANK YOU!

Mystic,how ,may I ask ,do you get them in milk jugs,the tops a little narrow for me to get my hands down there to plant the seed

CC I cut the jug in half and put drain holes in it and fill the bottom half with potting soil put my seeds in and water well. Tape the halves back together and leave the lid off that way snow and rain can still get into it.
The milk jugs help keep critters from getting the seeds.

OK,thanks...
now I understand!

I use small plastic containers that you find at salad bars in the grocery stores. After finishing the salad, I wash the container with soap & hot water. Fill with soil. Don't forget to label it. Make a few small holes on the top. The holes can be enlarged as the seeds grow. It makes a great green house.

I am so glad to see the visual posting of clematis seeds. This fall I did 7 different trades of hard to find seeds for some clematis varieties from 7 different people. All seven were just the feathery tufts, no visible seeds. I didn't say anything because evidently the people who sent the seeds did not know the difference.
Others I traded for were real seeds. I wasn't able to germanate any last year, but the milk bottle is a great idea so am looking forward to get them growing this year!
I've bookmarked the clematis sites, thanks to those who posted them.

djm906-I believe the "feathery tufts" mixed in with the clematis seeds is called "chaff". I include that with the seeds that I plant. Most of the time, it is extremely difficult and time consuming to separate the tiny seeds from the chaff. It doesn't affect the germination to include everything and it's MUCH easier on the nerves :~)

OK, that would explain it, but I thought the seeds would be a bit bigger than the little dot at the end of the chaff. But I'm new to clematis, so am learning. I will plant them and see if anything comes up.

The seed usually is a bit bigger. If you want to speed up the process put in little deli cups in the fridge then out into the spring or home air to warm, then back into fridge and back out in spring. I have had some seeds take almost 3 years to germinate. So far, I have henrii and some unknown seed sprouted as well as the tangutica and sweet autumn. They are not that easy to do fast.

I'll start some today that way, and others I will winter sow. Be interesting to see if any germinate right away.