arf@ddsw1.MCS.COM (Jack Schmidling) (07/26/90)
JEWEL WEEDS AND HUMMINGBIRDS
Last Fall, I sent packets of jewel weed (Impatiens capensis)
seeds to several dozen people on this net. I absolutely
guaranteed that anyone who planted these seeds would have
hummingbirds next (this) Fall, even if they lived in the
middle of a major city.
Well, if my lack of success in getting these seeds to
germinate is typical, I don't expect a standing ovation. I
kept two lots of these seeds; one spent the Winter on the
back porch exposed to weather and the other I kept in the
house.
To determine dormancy requirements, I made germination tests
of both lots, on a monthly basis, from November through
July. To my utter amazement, not one single seed
germinated.
What I already know is that, the original two plants
produced dozens the next Spring and each year there is an
exponential increase in the number of plants. This year I
had to pull out thousands, they are so prolific, if just
left alone.
Two questions:
1. Did anybody have any luck with the seeds I sent?
2. Does anybody have any idea why these seeds will not
germinate?
Jack Schmidling arf@gagme