This plant seems to have a reputation of volunteering well in the garden but being pretty hard to grow from seed deliberately. Clothier says
"Corydalis cava, cheilanthifolia, lutea, nobilis, ochroleuca, and solida , Sow at 22ºC (71ºF) for 6 wks or more. Move to -4 to +4ºC (24-39ºF) for 6-8 wks. Then raise the temperature to 10ºC (50ºF). If no germination in 4-6 wks, repeat the cycle from the beginning. If the warm/cold cycles were not long enough, a new warm/cold cycle is needed. Short viable"
I got a pack of 20 seeds, wintersowed half of them. No sprouts yet, though I know it's early, and weather this winter wasn't exactly typical. Since the seeds apparently have a short viability I figured there was no point in saving the other 10. I put them in a damp paper towel, room temp, the day before yesterday. I'll give them alternating periods of warm/cold and see if anything happens.
I have to say, I don't have a good history with the paper towel method, especially with small seeds like this. I'm clumsy with transplanting from the towel successfully. I guess I do best just pushing them off the towel into soil and spraying in, or transplanting a little piece of the towel with the seed.
I let you know if I have any success.
Karen
