Planting California Native Plants from Seed

I was wondering if anyone could tell me about their experiences on planting California native plants from seed. I recently purchased Solidago californica and eriogonum crocatum seeds from Theodore Payne Native Plant Foundation. I have no idea on how to sow them in our climate. I purchased a book on this subject. In this book, I couldn't find anything that would help me. Is it okay to start the seeds indoors and later transplant them? Do they germinate well in winter sowing or at least this late in the Fall?

I am very eager to start on this project...

Thanks,

Chuck

Being that a lot of CA natives require fire stratification, I would soak the seeds for at least 24 hours with the Cape Seed Primer and then put the starter trays in the greenhouse.

Thanks, zebraman!! What exactly is Cape Seed Primer? Do the trays holding the seeds have to be in a greenhouse or can they be in total shade until they germinate and in non-direct sunny location after they germinate?

Thanks,


Chuck

It is an artificial method of "tricking" seeds into germinating that doesn't actually involve setting fires.It is a pink,paper disc that is impregnated with smoke.I buy mine here because I buy a lot of seeds that require fire stratification.I know of a place in S.Africa that only charges $4.95 per pack,but with ship/handling costs more than $10.00.
http://www.rancidsawdust.com/cape.htm Also all the seeds I purchased from this place sprouted great with the primer.

I've seen the Cape smoke primer for sale at Seedman.com, can't remember what their prices were though.

As far as light--my guess would be that most of the natives would want light in order to germinate, and definitely after they've sprouted they will need good strong light if they're indoors. I'd get some cheap shop lights and hang those up over the seedling trays, I've had good luck with those (not with CA natives, but with other types of seeds, but I don't think the natives would be that different).

Thanks to both of you,

I am now going to access seedman.com. I am also going to check at Home Depot tomorrow to see if they have inexpensive shop lights.

Thanks again,

Chuck

Wonder if the primer would work on Romneya coulteri?

Chuck, I'm trying some seeds myself this year - we'll have to share results.


This message was edited Oct 20, 2007 7:52 PM

You get seeds from Matilija Poppy? I have a huge stand of this and get loads of flowers, but Never a single seedpod.I just take stem cuttings,torch the end and root it with Liquid hormone. I just checked and DG states fire stratification is required for germination.So yes the Cape primer would work.

This message was edited Oct 20, 2007 8:42 PM

Cool...I've never tried that with the cuttings of romneya. I always dig new offshoots in November-December and this year did try digging some in April and a good amount of those made it. Now I'll have to try the cuttings....a lot of people will be happy to hear this.
Sherry

I've never heard of the torching method, either. We planted our first one before DH built the pond and now it's so big it's spoiling the view. I managed to get one pup to take on the other side of the path, but we'll see if it blooms this spring. I've been told they sometimes act like they're OK, then fail later. I'm going to give the big one a good haircut this year and see if that makes a difference (I didn't cut it back last year). I'd hate to have to remove it.

I've never looked for the seeds after reading so many places that they are almost impossible to sprout. I'll have a look and see if I have any.