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Cardiocrinum giganteum

Giant Himalayan Lily

Family LiliaceaeGenus Cardiocrinum

One tall stem carrying cream trumpet flowers streaked red inside, above broad glossy basal leaves on a mossy bank
The whole plantErnst GügelCC BY-SA 3.0

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

Habit
bulbous geophytePlants of the World Online
Flower
WhiteFlora of China
Native range
Assam, China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, East Himalaya, Myanmar and elsewhereGBIF Backbone Taxonomy

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Flora of China — Wu Zhengyi, Peter H. Raven and Hong Deyuan (eds.); GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

Worth knowing

  • The giant Himalayan lily is the largest of all the lily plants, up to 3.5 m tall. Nathaniel Wallich first described it in 1824, and it was introduced to the British trade, as Lilium giganteum, in the 1850s. Wikipedia: Cardiocrinum giganteum

Two sources report 6 treatments between them. All are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around January 17, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on January 16, 2026.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    2 germinated in this phase.

  5. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  6. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  7. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  8. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    1 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 5 run on after germination.

about 12 months from start to step 5. Germination happens during step 5, in 84 days.

93% germination in 35–84 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Cardiocrinum p. 28Public domain
Show the original text
Cardiocrinum (Liliaceae). C. giganteum they wiii ultimately germinate. C. giganteum, further expts. confirm the extended germinations. It is of interest to compare the following two samples which were from the same source and received at the same time, but which must have had different storage conditions in some way before being received on 2-2-1992. One sample germ. 40-70-40-70(2%)-40(93% in 5- 12 w)-70-40-70(1%) and the other germ. 40-70-40-70-40(5%)-70-40-70(61% in 2-8 d). KW has found the same basic behavior.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Cardiocrinum p. 28. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around July 7, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on July 6, 2025.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  5. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    5 germinated in this phase.

  6. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  7. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  8. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

about 1.5 years from start to step 8. Germination happens during step 8, in 8 days.

61% germination in 2–8 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Cardiocrinum p. 28Public domain
Show the original text
Cardiocrinum (Liliaceae). C. giganteum they wiii ultimately germinate. C. giganteum, further expts. confirm the extended germinations. It is of interest to compare the following two samples which were from the same source and received at the same time, but which must have had different storage conditions in some way before being received on 2-2-1992. One sample germ. 40-70-40-70(2%)-40(93% in 5- 12 w)-70-40-70(1%) and the other germ. 40-70-40-70-40(5%)-70-40-70(61% in 2-8 d). KW has found the same basic behavior.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Cardiocrinum p. 28. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 3

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around January 24, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on January 23, 2026.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    2 germinated in this phase.

  5. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

about 12 months from start to step 5. Germination happens during step 5, in 77 days.

97% germination in 35–77 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Cardiocrinum p. 113Public domain
Show the original text
Cardiocrinum (Liliaceae). C. giganteum requires several cycles before germination starts, and only fresh seeds have germ. Germination is epigeal and so far light and GA-3 have stimulated germination. A sample sent from a self sowing colony in British Columbia germ. 40-70-40-70(2% . in 1-7 d)-40(97% in 5-11 w) and 70- 40-70(5%)-40(5%)-70(7%). A sample from New York State germ. 70L-40-70D(25% on 7th d)-40(30%9-12 w) and 70D-40-70D-40(25% in 8th w)-70D(50% in 2nd w). The stems had been cut before frost, the seeds ripened indoors, and the seeds sent to me immediately. Twenty five other samples have been received over the years without a single germination. However, the extended germination pattern had not been appreciated, and it is possible that DS is not tolerated.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Cardiocrinum p. 113. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 4

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 28, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on March 27, 2026.

  1. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    25 germinated in this phase.

  5. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

about 12 months from start to step 5. Germination happens during step 5, in 14 days.

50% germination in 14 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Cardiocrinum p. 113Public domain
Show the original text
Cardiocrinum (Liliaceae). C. giganteum requires several cycles before germination starts, and only fresh seeds have germ. Germination is epigeal and so far light and GA-3 have stimulated germination. A sample sent from a self sowing colony in British Columbia germ. 40-70-40-70(2% . in 1-7 d)-40(97% in 5-11 w) and 70- 40-70(5%)-40(5%)-70(7%). A sample from New York State germ. 70L-40-70D(25% on 7th d)-40(30%9-12 w) and 70D-40-70D-40(25% in 8th w)-70D(50% in 2nd w). The stems had been cut before frost, the seeds ripened indoors, and the seeds sent to me immediately. Twenty five other samples have been received over the years without a single germination. However, the extended germination pattern had not been appreciated, and it is possible that DS is not tolerated.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Cardiocrinum p. 113. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 5

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around April 17, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on April 16, 2026.

  1. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: light

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

    25 germinated in this phase.

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

about 9 months from start to step 4. Germination happens during step 4, in 84 days.

30% germination in 63–84 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Cardiocrinum p. 113Public domain
Show the original text
Cardiocrinum (Liliaceae). C. giganteum requires several cycles before germination starts, and only fresh seeds have germ. Germination is epigeal and so far light and GA-3 have stimulated germination. A sample sent from a self sowing colony in British Columbia germ. 40-70-40-70(2% . in 1-7 d)-40(97% in 5-11 w) and 70- 40-70(5%)-40(5%)-70(7%). A sample from New York State germ. 70L-40-70D(25% on 7th d)-40(30%9-12 w) and 70D-40-70D-40(25% in 8th w)-70D(50% in 2nd w). The stems had been cut before frost, the seeds ripened indoors, and the seeds sent to me immediately. Twenty five other samples have been received over the years without a single germination. However, the extended germination pattern had not been appreciated, and it is possible that DS is not tolerated.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Cardiocrinum p. 113. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 6

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Very high Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 21, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on March 20, 2026.

  1. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    5 germinated in this phase.

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    5 germinated in this phase.

  5. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

about 12 months from start to step 5. Germination happens during step 5; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

7% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Cardiocrinum p. 113Public domain
Show the original text
Cardiocrinum (Liliaceae). C. giganteum requires several cycles before germination starts, and only fresh seeds have germ. Germination is epigeal and so far light and GA-3 have stimulated germination. A sample sent from a self sowing colony in British Columbia germ. 40-70-40-70(2% . in 1-7 d)-40(97% in 5-11 w) and 70- 40-70(5%)-40(5%)-70(7%). A sample from New York State germ. 70L-40-70D(25% on 7th d)-40(30%9-12 w) and 70D-40-70D-40(25% in 8th w)-70D(50% in 2nd w). The stems had been cut before frost, the seeds ripened indoors, and the seeds sent to me immediately. Twenty five other samples have been received over the years without a single germination. However, the extended germination pattern had not been appreciated, and it is possible that DS is not tolerated.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Cardiocrinum p. 113. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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