OK, so I'm confused!

15 years ago

I just sowed seeds for Clematis viticilla 'Polish Pride' (as named per trader), however I'm betting it's 'Polish Spirit'! Anyhoo, I know folks wintersow Clematis so that is why I started them. However after sowing, I hopped on over to the Growing from Seed forum to search for information in regards to whether or not to cover seed. I followed a link that took me to (http://www.bcollingwood.com/)where I was brought to another link (http://gardensnorth.co/site/aboutus/germination.htm) and read the following:

"If you have room, put them in the fridge or other cold space for the requisite time (-4 to +4C is ideal). Outside in a cold frame or under a deep pile of snow. They will usually either germinate in the cold or in warm conditions following cold treatment. Do not place your moist sown seed directly into the freezer ever. True freezing of the seed embryo is usually fatal"

I found my answer regarding covering the seed or not, but

excuse me don't seeds "freeze" outside in a snowbank?!

My question might not even matter, because I'm not so sure what I sowed was even seed! The first website described some of the harder/longer to germinate clematis (which C. viticella fits that category) as having harder-to-break- dormancy large seed. This definitely doesn't describe what I just sowed! I also just did a google search and what I believe I have are pieces of the tail!!! Oh good grief.

Vera

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Comments (6)

proudgm_03
15 years ago
vera here is a picture of what seed on a clematis 'usually' looks like. I'm sure there are other types. But of the ones I've seen there should definitely be a hard seed head at the end of the tail. If this helps to visualize they remind me of sperm. LOL!

I have been very confused about clematis also as when I searched I found info that said some of them may take 1-3 years to germinate. Well, we'll see as I dumped the containers in my holding bed. This year I plan on keeping everything that might be a long germinator until the following summer.
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/pixpg/clemseedpix.html
mnwsgal
15 years ago
Different clematis have different size seed heads on the end of the tail. Some are large while others are quite small.
I read somewhere to remove the tail when sowing.
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morz8 - Washington Coast
15 years ago
Vera, if it helps at all, Mr. Collingwood is in the UK, and his idea of a snowbank may be somewhat like my own...temperatures hovering right around freezing long enough to turn rain to snow, may or may not last a few days. Different from plunging moist seed abruptly into a freezer with a temperature shock of 65-70 degrees colder, no gradual introduction to cold.
sheltieche
15 years ago
clematis Polish spirit is viticella and will have medium sized seeds, if you still have any left it is pretty easy to figure out if they viable or not- thy look kind of plump as compare to empty shells, if you soak them up you can open up shells and see actual seed inside. Those clems will take a while to germinate- hopefully this summer, could take a year. I had good resluts using GA-3 to speed up germination with following- fusca, crispa, pitcheri, glaucophylla, texensis.
Not all clem seeds are viable so would suggest investigating that before you invest in a year long process of waiting.
vera_eastern_wa
Original Author
15 years ago
Right, these are supposed to be C. viticella and there definitely are no seeds attached. How very disappointing!
I was under the impression the seed should look like "sperm" too, but it appeared as if the tails were cut off with a just a tuft left behind with a small bump (less than 1/16" in size) on the end. I picked a few back up into my fingers just after posting and when I went to press this between my fingers it was completely soft and had a lot of give.
I'm usually good at noting my traders in my database, but seems I forgot to note this one...figures. Won't be to difficult to figure it out. I will be sure to let them know they are sending out chaff :(

Vera
brandymulvaine
15 years ago
Vera, I also got "Polish Pride" clematis in a trade so I checked mine out and it is as you say!
Squishy seeds!
I wonder if they were picked too early??? I'll try to track down who the trade was with, if you want to discuss, email me...
-B

OK, so I'm confused!

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proudgm_03

mnwsgal

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OK, so I'm confused!

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