WHOO HOO! Germination!

One of my Habranthus robustus seeds has germinated!

Now if I can just get the Clivia, Zephyranthes and Pamianthe peruviana to do the same.

Congratulations! You know you just sent me scurrying to PlantFiles.... ooOOOhhhhh! How lovely! I got some "pink rain lilies" as a bonus from Aaron, but I think they are Amaryllis zephyanthus.... somewhat similar in appearance and hopefully a little less tender. Are you growing your H. robustus as a houseplant, or planning to dig it up each fall?

I'll be growing them as houseplants. Bulbs from seed is officially my 2005-2006 winter project. :-D

You only have *one* winter gardening obsession? LOL Last year I was mostly just starting seeds for spring planting, but this year I'm already thinking I've bitten off too much, with several flats of African violet starts, banana pups that are on their way here, and geranium cuttings to take soon.... not to mention the various houseplants & amaryllis and all the seedling starts for February & March! I've gone 'round the bend. But as soon as I think that, I can find somebody at DG even *more* obsessed than I to point to and say, "See?? I'm not *that* crazy!" :-)

Be sure to keep us posted on your bulbs project!!!

Regarding two DG Gandalphs of horticultural trips "around the bend" --

Critter, I don't think I would have needed so much Ibuprofin over the last 24 hours if not for that ride around the bend I went on with you in last summer's trades. And then there was that time around the bend with Shirley1Md's trade. Had dug the tender plants a few weeks ago and stored them in spackling buckets until I could get to them - yesterday, with temps in the 60's, and windows and doors flung open, I spent many happy hours potting treasures from you two, and the challenge to my orthopedic issues was well worth it.

With less than 800 sq. ft. of space in our house, the back exterior wall in a 8' x 8' utility/storage/litter box "room" is a light garden stuffed with an embarrassment of green riches through which, while I potter among the Calla lily, Alocasia, variegated ginger from Shirley, and amaryllis and others from Critter, I can look out on snow falling over various thymes in an herb garden also from Critter.

And then, within a tiny "breakfast nook", half the paucity of seating has been given over to more shelves and lights to African violets and scented geraniums from Critter and various coleus and begonias from Shirley, where more gazing out into snow falling over Critter's mints can occur. Dragon Lady holly, twisted hazel and sciadopyllus verticillata loom up behind the mint.

Thanks to Critter and Shirley, I am SO ready for cabin fever time this coming January and February.

One thing we look forward to in that time is taking out a pot a week from the downstair's frig of potted hyacinths and other bulbs to peek out among the leafery. We just plant the hyacinths out in the garden in the spring, where they return in following springs. Hyacinths are not as vulnerable to voles and company as are tulips and lilies...and then there's that heavenly fragrance (but put them where their dying foliage can be masked as under hardy perenials like hosta, japanese anemone, the larger cranesbills, etc.).

So, IndaShade, would you and Critter like some 2005 seed from Lilium 'Black Beauty' x L. 'Casablanca' and x 'Silver Realm' from my garden? Bubble envelope with 49 cents in stamps and self-addressed label would be fine, unless we can work out a trade. Will post germination info in next post. These oriental lilies are gorgeous in partial shade coming up through ferns or in the sun coming up through silvery/aromatic leaves like artemisia or caryopteris, which help to mask the bulbs from furry gormands. I make wire baskets out of 1/4" gauge hardware cloth to bury them and protect from voles and mice underground.

IndaShade, would you also prettypleeze post your germination method(s)?

germinating lilies: http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/551729/

would love to hear other folks' advice on germinating bulbs, too.

on germinating alliums: http://www.berkshirebotanical.org/Articles/bnargs_alliums.htm

Wow, blue, you have been busy! I love meandering around the yard and seeing wonderful plants from you and from other DGers.... Your name is on the plant tag, too! I also have a few "tender" plants that you gave me tucked into some of my big pots in the morning room, which is definitely looking like a jungle this year. It's a great place for a cup of coffee, and I"ll bet your breakfast area is the same way with all those lovelyies!

I think I have some oriental lily seeds also -- still out in the garden! -- I can see some pods. I'll have to collect them and see how they look. They aren't from deliberate crosses, just from a few blooms I didn't manage to deadhead, so the bees chose their parentage. There were a couple of orienpets in the bed too, so we could get some fun genetic combos.

How did you know that I was contemplating those seeds just this morning, thinking that maybe I'd start a flat of lilies this winter? :-D I'd be happy to have a pinch of your seeds too! And you know we'll work out a fun trade, so maybe you could just pop them into a BE with my name on it, and hopefully I'll soon get myself sorted out enough to send you a list of what I've got.... with luck, I'll have "assorted oriental lily" seeds!

Sounds good to me, Critter - will do and thank you.

Gee, I don't have a germination method, and so far the only thing that has sprouted is the Habranthus. The Clivia, Pamianthe and Zephyranthus seeds are just sitting there in a coma.

I DID sterilize the seed starting mix with boiling water, let it cool, and then planted them. I put them in plastic baggies under the lights and on a heat mat. Don't know if that helps you at all.