Tips on Saving and/or Buying Seed for Woodlanders and Ephemerals

Trillium sessile

Last week I wrote a post on growing native woodland plants and ephemerals from seed.  The link for that post is here: http://sproutsandstuff.blogspot.com/2014/12/how-to-grow-native-woodland-plants-and.html.  In that post I discussed some tips for success when growing those particular plants but I really did not elaborate on which plants tolerate dry storage and which don't.  So this week I will give specifics on saving the seed of some certain plant species and how to keep them "fresh" for later sowing.  This also applies to purchased seed-do not purchase seed from the "fresh" list if it is packed and stored dry.  Chances are you will have delayed, minimum or no germination at all.  I have waited years for many a seed to germinate only to give up and throw them in the compost.  It wasn't until I started researching specific plant species that I realized it probably was not me. 

Arisaema dracontium

Most ephemerals and quite a few woodland species are what botany experts call "hydrophilic" meaning they are intolerant of dry storage.  So much of your success on growing these plants from seed is based on their storage.  In the seed trade you will find some seed sellers list that their seeds are either stored "fresh", dry/cold storage or dry storage.  For this reason it is important to know the species of the plant in order to know not only it's germination requirements but also it's seed storage requirements.  

Mertensia virginica

In order for seeds to be packed "fresh" they need to be cleaned then stored in moist medium (usually vermiculite or sand).  Here is how to pack your seeds when they need to be stored "fresh":
1.  Place your seeds in a strainer and run them under water to clean them.  If they are fleshy you will want to squish them between your fingers to remove the pulp.  Rinse thoroughly and remove debris.

2.  Remove them from strainer and place on damp paper towel.

3.  Put some sand or vermiculite in a container and dampen it.  It does not need to be soaking wet.

4.  Add your seeds and mix them with your vermiculite or sand:

5.  Label a plastic bag with the seed name:

6.  Add your seeds and close up.  I will usually store mine in the refrigerator until I trade or sow them unless the seeds require a warm-cold-warm treatment (if they do then I proceed with the warm treatment).

The following species should be sown when ripe or kept "fresh" for optimum germination (this is NOT a complete list-it is only a list of species I have dealt with):


Amenopsis (not native)
Anemone (some)
Aralia (some)
Asarum
Caltha

Caltha palustris

Caullophyllum
Chrysogonum
Claytonia
Clintonia
Cornus (some)
Hydrastis (Goldenseal)
Jeffersonia (Twinleaf)
Helleborus (not native)

Hepatica
Maianthemum
Mertensia
Pachysandra
Panax
Podophyllum
Polygonatum
Sanguinaria (Bloodroot)
Smilicina
Spigelia
Streptopus
Stylophorum
Trillium

Trillium grandiflorum

Uvullaria


Some species of seeds can be stored dry but their viability will drop off quickly if not sown within a reasonable amount of time.  Some of them will have their viability drop off quickly.  Below is a list of species that can tolerate dry or dry/cold storage but remember that they can lose viability after a period of time:

Aconitum
Actaea (I prefer to store mine "fresh" for better germination)
Anemonella
Anemone (some)
Aquilegia
Arisaema (I prefer to store mine "fresh" for better germination)

Arisaema triphyllum

Calla
Chamaelerium
Cimifuga
Clematis (some)
Delphinium
Dentaria
Dicentra

Dicentra

Disporum
Epigaea
Erythronium
Galax
Geranium

Geranium maculatum

Helonias
Mitchella
Polemonium
Thalictrum

Thalictrum dioicum

Tiarella
Tradescantia
Veronicastrum
Viola

Just know that when dealing with with any seed saving or storing it is best to do research on the species to ensure you handle them appropriately.  Research, research, research!  Also, if you are dealing with any of these species or any other ephemerals they are best sown immediately after ripening if at all possible.  Follow these tips and you can be successful storing and propagating them at a later date.

I hope this post has been useful for you-if you have any questions or comments just leave them below.

As always-Happy Planting!
Rhonda