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Seeds from Eryngium Miss Willmotts Ghost

josinebakker2003josinebakker2003 Posts: 17
in Problem solving
Does anyone have experiences with this species? I bought a sachet of seeds through internet and sowed beginning of February. Two weeks later nothing had happened. I put the tray in the fridge, left it there for two weeks, returned it to the warmth to trigger the germination process, but now the tray is still bare: no signs whatsoever of precious plants coming up to meet the light! Where missed I something? What can I do??
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  • clarke.bruntclarke.brunt Posts: 215
    edited March 2021
    This probably isn't going to help, but I was talking about these over in thread https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1050823/forgiving-eryngiums recently. I can't remember what I originally did with the seed (collected from my own plants). If I was doing it now (rather than planting out these miniaturised specimens having left them in their seed-pot for years!) I'd probably sow fresh in autumn and leave outside, expecting germination in spring. Sounds as though you're doing the right thing. I wouldn't overdo the heat. People say they're 'erratic', so still plenty time for yours to come up if they're going to.

    Some seeds are just slow: I've germinated Spindle (Euonymus europaeus), Lapageria rosea, and Ginkgo biloba, all of which took months.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I've grown 2 varieties from seed and used the method above.
    i.e. sow in autumn onto of free draining compost, cover with 1/2" grit and leave outside over winter somewhere sheltered where birds and other wildlife can't investigate.
    By around late March/April I had several little seedlings

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • josinebakker2003josinebakker2003 Posts: 17
    Oeh, thanks, sounds as if I am toooooo impatient :)
  • PurpleRosePurpleRose Posts: 538
    I sowed these seeds in December. They were kept indoors in my conservatory which was cold at the time. Most of the seeds germinated I have one that is well ahead of all the others having leaves and I noticed what looks like some type of stem forming. All the others still have 2 or 3 leaves and are much much smaller. I think they are slow moving 
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    The Chiltern Seeds website offers this advice for sowing MWG

    Sow indoors. Surface sow onto moist well-drained seed compost. Just cover with vermiculite. Propagate 18-22°C. for 2-4 weeks. Do not exclude light. Germination can be slow. Seal seed container in a polythene bag and leave for 2 further weeks, then cold stratify. Move to a fridge 4°C for 3-6 weeks. After this return to warmth but no more than 18°C. If germination does not occur within 6-10 weeks return to fridge for further 3-6 weeks. Examine regularly whilst in fridge and immediately remove any seeds which show signs of germination. Move to 8cm pots. Acclimatise and plant out after danger of frost has passed. 
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
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  • josinebakker2003josinebakker2003 Posts: 17
    Obelixx, thanks, I will try this method as I did not use all of the seeds (clever of myself, I thought as a beginner), but I should not hope for mature plants this summer....
  • josinebakker2003josinebakker2003 Posts: 17
    and of course Purple Rose, for having to be patient.
  • PurpleRosePurpleRose Posts: 538
    I am naturally an impatient person. With gardening I have learned you need to have some patience at least. I often have to have a little word with myself when those impatient feelings emerge 😂😂

    josinebakker2003 said:
    and of course Purple Rose, for having to be patient.

  • LittlegardenLittlegarden Posts: 105
    Didn’t the gardener it is named after just scatter the seed in other people’s gardens, presumably late summer or autumn. If you have no luck this time. 
  • josinebakker2003josinebakker2003 Posts: 17
    Littlegarden@ I am afraid I do not quite understand your post...
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