Hello everyone.

I got (in a trade) a huge quantity of Fritillaria persica seeds.
I haven't checked, but they seem to be viable.
SO I can try different germination methods...wet paper towels in a plastic bag in fridge, in a pot in the apt, in a pot outside in the garden protected by neighbors' house, directly in the garden, etc.

BUT...has anyone tried these particular seeds and HOW?

I'm sorry--I've never grown these. I hope someone will weigh in with better information.

Linda

Thanks Linda.
There's a bunch of info online, but I was thinking someone has some experience.
I will try different methods and I am sure I will have at least 10.
100 would be better but can't be greedy.
These big fritillaria (and the imperial) seem to be rather expensive (the bulbs, I mean).
So starting with seeds is very economical

I hope you will keep us posted on your results. Fritillaria are gorgeous (and as you mentioned, quite expensive). I've not heard of anyone trying to grow them from seed, so are very interested in your results. Glad to have you join us in the seeds forum!

Thanks Londa.

A few years back I found in a not-cared-for garden some Imperial Fritillarias (the orange ones). I let summer pass and when I saw the pods were dry, I collected some seeds. (Like I said, it was a garden by the road, in front of a small shoe factory, and there didn't seem to be a passionate gardener looking after it)
I planted them directly in the garden, carefully marked the spot and this spring I saw some tiny lily-like leaves...so it can be done.
We had a terrible drought this summer and I can't for next spring to see if they are still alive.
I got 3 big bulbs that I am also worried about.

Yesterday I sowed about 1/3 of the seeds in a pot.

Another third, maybe today.

We also had a drought this summer--I'm anxious to see what will survive. We were fortunate enough to get some rain late in the season (including all day today as I was trying to get my garden cleaned up ) I'm not too worried about the perennials, but I'm afraid we will lose a lot of trees in our area. Most places had watering restrictions all summer, so no way to keep things healthy

I wonder how long your fritillaria will take to bloom from seed?

It was not that terrible over here. In some parts of Romania they indeed needed big fire-engines to bring in water for some remote villages where even the deep wells dried up.
There was no restrictions, but all the watering I did was almost useless. Kept plants alive but the next day they all wilted back :(
Now it's much better. Cool and rains :)

Linda, IF I am successful to germinate the seeds and IF we both stick around, I will let you know!

can't wait to see what happens!!!

Hehehe, me too!

Welcome back, Allison!!!! Are you doing OK?

yes thank you.. have a mess of halloween decorations to clean up.. just threw them everywhere inside the sheds, garage, and house .. but we are doing well now that the power is up.. going to clean up this weekend and get ready for christmas

Most Fritillaria seed need some sort of after ripening before germination, so they are usually planted in the early to mid fall and come up in the following spring. (Although myself, I still find significant germination a year after that.) The exception might be with some of the Norh American species.

Some fritillaria seed germinate at 70F and some at 40F. F. persica germinates at 40F ((4C). The best germination of 40F germinating species I have ever had was one spring when normal days had 50F highs: we had a snowfall that completely covered the ground and my frit pots about 1.5 inches. Temps hovered at 30-40F. The snow stayed for 2-3 days before melting. In the following days I had better germination of 40F germinators then ever before.

You might also want to search Ian Young's bulb log here:
http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/in...
Ian is a world guru on fritillaria and bulb plant growth in general. I was very fortunate to have him stay at my house for a few days. One of the coolest, knowledgeable people I know, and you could spend a year reading his bulb logs....

Thanks Rick.
I will check some of the "entries" ... took me a while just to get to the bottom of the list :)
Now all Fritillaria seeds are sown. Except the batch in the paper towel and in the fridge - that I regularly check (when I remember)... LOL
A part directly in the garden, another part in a pot and out in the elements (by neoghbor's house, in shade), another part in a pot and in the fridge, and yet another part on my balcony (a few degrees above outside temp - the balcony not heated but got windows so they offer some protection (although, all my succulents there froze last winter when I cracked a window to let humidity get out, I forgot it open overnight and well...)
So they are all nicely scattered all over the place.
At least some germination should occur somewhere!

Can't wait to hear your results, Calin. I hope you will continue to share with us so we can all learn from your experience.

Well, today I had some time, I checked the seeds in the paper towel and fridge and I picked 6-7 seeds with developing roots and planted in a pot.

Excellent!

And excellent photos, too...

So how long have they been in the fridge, and approximately what percentage (so far) have germinated?

08.11.2012 so about one and a half months to first sign.
Only about 5-6 out of 50 but they are all plump.

And only 5-6 out of 50 so far.

Keep us updated in the weeks to come, please.

Nice to see your seeds are germinating, Calin. Great photos, too

A kinda update ...
I counted 58 seeds in the towel, now I have 28 with "tails" and potted in soil, 28 still waiting, and 2 rotten seeds.
Not bad.
Can someone tell me, the pot should be kept in cool temps? In the kitchen there's no heating.
Or should I take it to the living room?