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| Some Abbreviations Used |
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A: Annual - a plant which lives one year only from seed. P: Perennial - a plant which comes back every year. H: Indicates a plant hardy in northern zones. T: Indicates a tender plant, shrub (sh), or tree (t) which will not winter over in northern zones. IS: In Situ; can be planted outside directly where it is to grow. JC: Just Cover; barely cover with soil SS:Surface Sow; press seeds gently into to the soil to make good contact, but do not cover with any additional soil; these seeds require light to germinate. L/D: Light or Dark; seeds which require dark should have the flat covered with newspaper or brown paper or something similar to keep light from getting to the seeds. Plants requiring light to germinate are to be surface sown. S/I: Germination is slow and irregular HH: Half hardy. If an annual, it will usually not reseed itself in northern zones, and if perennial, will be killed by freezing temperatures. TP: Tender perennial (or shrub, etc). Will not winter over in northern zones, but makes a good greenhouse specimen. GHS: Tropical or delicate plant best grown in greenhouse. BB: Bulb. |
NOTE: The heading 'Medium' refers to a sterile potting soil.
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| Plant | Days for Germination | Light/ Dark | Temp °F | Medium | Depth of Seed | Special Info |
| Cacti (ghs) | 5-180 s/i | L | 75-80 | Peaty | SS | See Cacti |
| Caesalpinia (hhsh) | 14-120 s/i | . | 75-80 | Well-drained | ¼" | #2 for 48 hours (hand hot water) |
| Calandrinia (hha) | 5-14 | . | 55-60 | Well-drained | 1/8" | Can be sown IS |
| Calceolaria (tb) | 14-21 s/i | L | 65-75 | Peaty | SS | For outdoor types keep temp below 60º |
| Calendula (ha) | 10-14 | D | 70 | . | ¼" | Can be sown IS. Sow in greenhouse in autumn for winter flowers |
| Calibanus (tp) | 30-120 s/i | L | 70-80 | Peaty | SS | . |
| Calliopsis (ha) | 14 | . | 60-65 | Well-drained | 1/8" | Can be sown IS |
| Callirhoe (hp) s/i | 30-180+ | L | 50 | Well-drained | SS | Can be sown IS or in cold frame. |
| Callistemon (hhsh) | 14-60 | L | 55-65 | Peaty | SS | See Begonia |
| Calluna (hsh) | 30-60 | L | 65-70 | Peaty | SS | #3 for 4 weeks |
| Calocedrus (ht) | 30-90 | L | 50-0 | Peaty | JC | #3 for 3 weeks |
| Caltha (hp) | 30-90 s/i | . | 55-60 | Peaty | 1/16" | Keep slightly moist. |
| Camassia (hbb) | 30-180 s/i | . | 55-60 | Well-drained | 1/16" | . |
| Camellia (hsb) | 30-90 s/i | . | 70-75 | Peaty | ¼" | #2 (#3 may also help) |
| Campanula (hp, hb) | 14-28 | L | 60-70 | Peaty | SS | See Begonia |
| Campsis (hhsh) | 30-90 s/i | . | 70-75 | Well-drained | SS | #3 for 2 months |
| Canarina (tp) | 30-180 s/i | . | 65-75 | Well-drained | JC | . |
| Candytuft (ha, hp) | 10-15 | . | 70-85 (ha) 60-65 (hp) | Well-drained | ¼" | Can be sown IS. Perennial types may be S/I. |
| Canna (hhp) | 21-60 s/i | . | 70-75 | Peaty | ¼" | #1, then #2 for 48 hours. |
| Capsicum (ta) | 21-30 | L | 70-75 | Peaty | SS | . |
| Caragana (hsh) | 14-21 | L | 65-70 | Well-drained | SS | #2 |
| Cardiocrinum (hbb) | 90-730 s/i | . | 50 | Peaty | 1/16" | See Bonsai |
| Cardiospermum (hha) | 21-30 | . | 65-70 | Well-drained | ½" | . |
| Carica (tsh) | 30-120 s/i | . | 75 | Peaty | 1/8" | #2 for 48 hours. |
| Carlina (hp) | 30-60 | L | 55-60 | Well-drained | SS | . |
| Carpinus (ht) | 30-365 s/i | L | 65-70 | Well-drained | SS | #4 for 1 month at 70ºF, then 4 months cold |
| Carthamus (ha) | 12-18 | . | 55-65 | Well-drained | ¼" | Can be sown IS |
| Caryopteris (hsh) | 30-90 s/i | . | 65-70 | Well-drained | JC | . |
| Cassia (tsh) | 7-90 | . | 70-75 | Well-drained | 1/8" | #1 |
| Casuarina (tt) | 30-90 | . | 65 | Well-drained | JC | . |
| Catalpa (ht) | 14-30 s/i | L | 60-70 | Peaty | SS | Ventilate seedlings well. Susceptible to damping off. |
| Catananche (hp) | 21-25 | . | 65-75 | Well-drained | 1/16" | . |
| Catharanthus (hha) | 15-20 | D | 70-75 | Peaty | 1/8" | . |
| Ceanothus (hhsh) | 30-60 | L | 65-70 | Well-drained | SS | #2 overnight, then #3 for 2 weeks. |
| Cedrus (ht) | 14-60 s/i | L | 60-65 | Well-drained | SS | #2 for 2 to 3 hours, then #3 for 3 weeks. |
| Celosia (a) | 10-15 | L | 70-75 | Well-drained | JC | Likes warmth. |
| Centaurea (hp, ha) | 7-14 | D | 60-70 | Well-drained | 1/16" | . |
| Centranthus (hp) | 21-30 | . | 60-70 | Well-drained | JC | Can be sown IS. |
| Cephalaria (hp) | 21-60 | . | 55-65 | Well-drained | ¼" | Can be sown IS. |
| Cephaliptrum (hha) | 14-21 | . | 65-75 | Well-drained | JC | . |
| Cephalotaxus (hsh) | 14-60 s/i | . | 60-65 | Peaty | JC | . |
| Cerastium (hp) | 5-10 | . | 60 | Well-drained | 1/16" | . |
| Ceratotheca (hha) | 7-14 | . | 70-75 | Well-drained | 1/8" | . |
| Cercis (hsh) | 30-90 s/i | L | 70-75 | Well-drained | JC | #2 in hand-hot water, then #3 for 2 to 3 months. |
| Cerinthe (hha) | 7-14 | . | 60-65 | Well-drained | 1/16" | Can be sown IS. |
| Chaenomeles (hsh) | 70-90 s/i | L | 55-65 | Well-drained | SS | #3 for 7 to 10 weeks. |
| Chamaecyaris (ht, hht) | 30-60 | L | 50-60 | Peaty | JC | #3 for 3 weeks. |
| Cheiranthus (hb) | 14-21 | . | 65-75 | Well-drained | 1/8" | Grow in coldframe, set out in fall. |
| Chelidonium (hp) | 30-365 s/i | . | 55-65 | Well-drained | 1/8" | . |
| Chelone (hp) | 14-42 | . | 55-65 | Well-drained | 1/16" | Requires good drainage. |
| Chiastophyllum (hp) | 30-60 | . | 55 | Well-drained | SS | #5 |
| Chimonanthus (hsh) | 60-90 s/i | L | 50-60 | Well-drained | SS | #3 for 5 to 8 weeks. |
| Chionanthus (hsh) | 30-180 s/i | L | 60-70 | Well-drained | SS | #3 for 1 month. |
| Chionodoxa (hbb) | 30-90 s/i | . | 55 | Well-drained | ¼" | . |
| Chlorogalum (hbb) | 30-90 s/i | . | 55-80 | Well-drained | 1/8" | See Bonsai |
| Chrysanthemum (ha, hp) | 10-18 | . | 60-70 | Peaty | 1/8" | Annuals can be sown IS. For perennials, reduce night temp. |
| Cimicifuga (hp) | 30-365 s/i | . | 55-60 | Well-drained | 1/16" | . |
| Cineraria (ghs-p) | 14-21 s/i | L | 70 | Well-drained | JC | . |
| Cirrhopetalum (tp) | 30-180 s/i | L | 65-70 | Well-drained | SS | . |
| Cirsium (hp) | 15-18 | . | 70-75 | Well-drained | 1/8" | . |
| Cissus (tsh) | 30-180 s/i | . | 70-75 | Well-drained | JC | . |
| Cistus (hsh) | 7-30 | L | 65-70 | Peaty | SS | See Begonia |
| Cladanthus (ha) | 30-35 | . | 70-75 | Well-drained | JC | . |
| Clarkia (ha) | 21 | . | . | Well-drained | ¼" | Best sown IS. |
| Claytonia (ha) | 14-21 | . | 65-70 | Well-drained | 1/8" | . |
| Clematis (hp) | 30-270+ s/i | . | 70-75 | Well-drained | 1/8" | See Bonsai |
| Cleome (hha) | 10-14 | L | 70-75 | Well-drained | SS | #3 for 2 weeks. |
| Clerodendron (tsh) | 21-60 s/i | . | 70-75 | Well-drained | 1/8" | Greenhouse specimen in north. |
| Clerodendron (hsh) | 60-90 s/i | L | 65-70 | Well-drained | SS | #3 for 4 to 6 weeks. |
| Clianthus (tsh) | 14-42 | . | 65-70 | Well-drained | 1/16" | #2 (Greenhouse in north) |
| Clintonia (hp) | 30-90 | . | 55-60 | Sandy peat | JC | Compost should be kept just moist at all times. |
| Clitoria (tp) | 15-20 | . | 70-75 | Well-drained | 1/16" | #1 and #2 for 24 hours. |
| Clivia (tp) | 7-21 | . | 65-70 | Peaty | ¼" | See Clivia |
| Cobaea (hha) | 21-30 | . | 70-75 | Well-drained | 1/16" | Plant seed vertically. |
| Coccoloba (tsh) | 10-21 | . | 65-70 | Well-drained | ¼" | #2 for 24 hours. |
| Codonopsis (hp) | 7-45 | L | 60-70 | Slightly acid | SS | . |
| Coffea (tsh) | 40-55 | L | 75 | Peaty | SS | #2 for 48 hours and See Banana |
| Colchicum (hbb) | 30-365 s/i | . | 55-65 | Peaty | 1/8" | . |
| Coleus (hhp) | 10-20 | L | 65-75 | Peaty | SS | Indoor culture: Keep warm with plenty of bright light. |
| Collinsia (hha) | 14-21 | . | - | Well-drained | ¼" | Best sown IS, then thin to 6". |
| Collomia (ha) | 21 | . | - | Well-drained | 1/8" | Best sown IS, then thin to 6". |
| Columnea (tp) | 30-120 s/i | L | 70-75 | Peaty | SS | . |
| Colutea (hsh) | 7-21 | . | 65-70 | Well-drained | 1/16" | #1 and #2 |
| Commelina (hhp) | 30-37 | . | 70 | Well-drained | 1/8" | . |
| Conophytum (tp) | 10-40 s/i | L | 75-80 | Well-drained | SS | . |
| Convallaria (hp) | 60-365+ s/i | L | 50-60 | Well-drained | JC | . |
| Convolvulus (ha) | 5-14 | . | 70-80 | Well-drained | 1/8" | #1 or #2 |
| Cordyline (tp) | 30-90 | . | 75-80 | Peaty | 1/16" | #2 for 10 minutes in hand-hot water. |
| Cordyline (hhsh) | 30-60 s/i | . | 65-70 | Peaty | 1/16" | . |
| Coreopsis (hp) | 20-25 | L | 55-70 | Well drained | SS | Annuals can be sown IS. |
| Cornus (hsh) | 90-730 s/i | L | 50-60 | Well-drained | SS | #4; 2 months at 70ºF, then 3 months cold. |
| Coronilla (hhsh) | 30-60 | . | 65-75 | Well-drained | JC | . |
| Correa (hhsh) | 30-90 s/i | . | 65-70 | Well-drained | JC | . |
| Cortaderia (tp) | 14-21 | L | 60-75 | Peaty | SS | See Begonia |
| Corydalis (hp) | 30-60 | L | 50-60 | Well-drained | SS | . |
| Cosmos (hha) | 5-10 | . | 70-85 | Well-drained | 1/8" | Can be sown IS. |
| Cotoneaster (hsh) | 180-365 s/i | L | 70 | Acid, peaty | SS | #4; 3 to 5 months at 70ºF, then 3 months cold. |
| Cotinus (hsh) | 30-90 s/i | . | 55-60 | Peaty | 1/16" | #1, then #2 for 12 hours; then #3 for 6 to 9 weeks. |
| Cotula (hha) | 14-45 | . | 50 | Well-drained | 1/16" | . |
| Crambe (hp) | 21-45 | . | - | Well-drained | ½" | Best sown IS. |
| Craspedia (hha) | 14-30 | . | 70-75 | Peaty | 1/8" | Can be sown IS. |
| Crataegus (hsh) | 180-730 s/i | L | 50-60 | Well-drained | SS | #4; 3 to 5 months at 70ºF, then 3 months cold. |
| Crepis (ha) | 5-14 | . | 70-80 | Well-drained | JC | . |
| Crinodendron (hhsh) | 30-120 s/i | . | 55-65 | Well-drained | JC | #2 for 3 hours. |
| Crocosmia (hp) | 30-90 | . | 55-60 | Well-drained | 1/16" | . |
| Crocus (hbb) | 30-180 s/i | . | 55-65 | Well-drained | 1/8" | . |
| Crossandra (tp) | 25-30 s/i | L | 75-80 | Peaty | SS | See Begonia |
| Crotalaria (tsh) | 21-30 | . | 65-75 | Well-drained | 1/16" | #2 for 2 hours. |
| Cryptomeria (ht) | 30-60 s/i | . | 55-65 | Peaty | 1/16" | . |
| Cryptostegia (t-vine) | 30-90 s/i | . | 65-75 | Well-drained | 1/16" | #2 for 2 hours |
| Cunonia (tsh) | 30-60 | . | 70-75 | Peaty | 1/16" | . |
| Cuphea (hhp) | 8-10 | L | 70 | Peaty | SS | . |
| Cupressus (ht) | 30-90 s/i | L | 65-75 | Peaty | SS | #3 for 3 weeks. |
| Cyananthus (hp) | 14-60 | L | 60-65 | Peaty | SS | See Begonia |
| Cycad (tp) | 30-90 s/i | . | 70-75 | Well-drained | - | Half bury the seed lengthwise. |
| Cyclamen (tp) | 30-60 s/i | D | 55-60 | Peaty | ¼" | Keep moist and in total dark. |
| Cyclamen (hp) | 30-180 s/i | D | 55-60 | Peaty | ¼" | See Bonsai |
| Cynara (hp) | 14-30 | . | 50-55 | Well-drained | 1/8" | Can be sown IS. |
| Cynoglossum (ha) | 5-10 | D | 65-75 | Peaty | ¼" | . |
| Cyperus (hhp) | 25-30 | . | 70-75 | Peaty | JC | Keep compost slightly moist. |
| Cyphomandra (tp) | 20-25 | . | 70-75 | Peaty | 1/16" | . |
| Cyphostemma (tp) | 30-60 s/i | . | 70 | Well-drained | ¼" | #2 for 2 hours. |
| Cypripedium (hp) | 30-365 s/i | L | 65-70 | Peaty | SS | See Begonia |
| Cyrtanthus (tp) | 30-90 s/i | . | 55-65 | Peaty | SS | Keep compost slightly moist. |
| Cytisus (hsh) | 25-30 | L | 70-75 | Well-drained | SS | #2, then transplant to final quarters while still small. |
© 2001 by Ernestina Parziale
