Crinodendron Hookerianum

Back in September I mentioned the seeds I'd come across on the Crinodendron in my garden.



I checked info on the web to see if they would grow true and also how to propagate them. It was suggested to pot them up and leave them outside for a cold spell over winter. I placed them in a spot facing north on 15th September. But - with a warm, dry autumn, the seeds thought differently and all but one have germinated. I didn't expect any of them to germinate.

With snow promised next week I've brought them in and will pot them on this weekend, hoping they don't grow too rapidly.

 

They probably thought winter was over.
Bit tricky overwintering now, you probably need a frost free greenhouse.

 

Warm overnight temperatures haven't helped either @pete.

I haven't got a greenhouse yet and no cool room to put them in so it's going to be tricky. Even my porch faces south so is warmed by the sun. At the current rate they're growing, triffids spring to mind.

 

Isn't nature wonderful, though! It just shows what a difference it makes sowing fresh seed.

 

Good going @Sheal! I find the worst problem with out of season seedlings is giving them enough light.

 

Yes - that's tricky @Sheal. Not something I've ever grown
Perhaps you could rig up something for getting them outside though, if you can acclimatise them before, or as, they get to the potting on stage.
If they're meant to need a cold spell, they'd surely be ok just put under shrubs or similar? I often do that with small plants as it can be better than over cosseting. Even in a clear plastic box with a lid, and then put in a sheltered spot. I've often done that as it gives protection from the worst weather. Depends on how far on they are though - and whether you feel like taking that risk. Maybe try it with a couple?

 

That's what I'm worried about @CarolineL. The light up here is very low over the winter and daylight hours short. At the winter solstice sunset is at 3.33pm.

We've got snow promised throughout next week @fairygirl and temperatures will drop into minus figures. I don't think they'd survive outside.

It was the seeds that needed a cold spell and that didn't work having had an unusually sunny, warm autumn.

I think I'll have to turn off a radiator in an almost empty bedroom and put them in there. The room faces south so they will get some brightness and hopefully stop them from getting leggy.

 

Crinodendron was always considered a bit tender, I think off the top of my head it comes from Chile, so I'd not let the seedlings freeze, the adult plant can be ok below minus 5c, mine has been, but its not a totally hardy shrub.
Just a cool, above zero place is the best you can do.

I know that you probably want the seedlings to survive @Sheal but they do take reasonably easy from cuttings if you want more plants.

 

Thanks @pete.

I have two already in the garden so don't need to take cuttings. Both plants are mature and sheltered by the garden walls. The seeds were there so I thought, let's give them a go.

 

I got a very cheap set of led grow lights that I use to bump up the light for seedlings and other plants. You could put it on a timer and they cost very little to run. I have one of them inside the cover on my propagator

 

Ah - I misunderstood @Sheal re the seed. Small seedlings would certainly struggle outside and would need protected. I know what you mean about having seed and just wanting to give them a go. We can't resist it can we !

 

Thanks @CarolineL. I choose plants on the whole that are suited to my garden, although I have taken a chance with some down the years. I'm a gardener/grower that has never mollycoddled plants and if they need other than basic assistance to survive I won't bother with them. Nature will sort the weak from the strong.

Quite right @fairygirl. It's great when a chance taken works out well especially in the plant world.

 

I have one of these in the garden, been there since before we moved in twenty years ago. I must go and see if there are any seeds on it.

 

It may be too late in the season to find any now @Ergates. Keep watch as it comes to the end of flowering next year.

 

I snaffled a few berries from a rowan that the birds had kindly donated @Sheal. It has white berries, so I thought I'd give it a go and see if any germinated. I now have a nice little sapling growing happily. I love it when a plan comes together....

I'm also of the 'pick suitable plants for the site ' brigade, with a few experiments along the way. Far better than trying to 'make' something suit a site that it just isn't right for. Now that they've worked, you'll have to find room for them though!