>> I have a big slug problem

I use beer saucers cut from the botoms of plastic soda bottles, and slug bait. It helps some.

But whatever slugs like best, they mow right down to the ground. Like delphiniums.

kqcrna said:Here's the thing about those "hard to sprout" seeds. You read all you can find about what might help sprout the seed, like nicking or soaking. You prepare to give them specific conditions like warm-cold-warm temps. Then the stupid seeds sprout a few days and make a fool of you

If your literature is credible and the majority of seeds sprout unexpectedly, then I would wonder if the seed was correctly identified in the first place.

FYI, in this part of the country, Corydalis sempervirens is very weedy.

"Corydalis racemosa, and sempervirens , Sow at 20ºC (68ºF), germination slow Short viable. Germinates in 4-8 weeks " So I started early, in mid December, prepared to possibly put them outside for some cold treatment if necessary. The seeds sprouted in a few days and I now have 9 cells which are over an inch tall already. I'll surely kill them before they get out of the house.
Karen

I did exactly the same thing with Corydalis wilsonii, not being able to find any info on the particular species. But they came through the winter just fine, even though C. wilsonii isn't as shade tolerant as yours.

N.B. kqcrna: Calycanthus 'Venus' is only half American.

"If your literature is credible and the majority of seeds sprout unexpectedly, then I would wonder if the seed was correctly identified in the first place. "
>>> I know the seeds are identified correctly because I grew them myself. That is the difference in the seeds- they were mine (not from a commercial source), handled and stored appropriately, and sown relatively soon after harvest. Seeds are don't seem to develop that hard-to-overcome dormancy for a while after they're harvested. Sown fresh, I think most anything sprouts easily.

Karen

Yes, you're right.
The "normal" germination instructions for dried seed often does not apply to fresh seed.
One needs to take in to account that possibility.

So glad to get that information about seeds you grow yourself (fresh), I never knew that but I have experienced it with Daylily seed. The fresh ones seems to do fine when planted right away.

Yes, and that's handy for any plant that's hardy to your zone. For annuals, timing can be tricky.

Karen

It's all quite involved, but some of you may be interested in Allium triccocum seed germination....

https://www.nargs.org/comment/...

I have Jefferson dubia as a WS this year.