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Geissorhiza aspera

Blue Satinflower · Blue-sequins · Common Satin

Family IridaceaeGenus Geissorhiza

Violet six-petalled flowers with pale centers, opening one after another along a stem
FlowerAndrew massynCC BY-SA 3.0

About the plant

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

Habit
tuberous geophytePlants of the World Online
Flower
BlueWikipedia
Native range
Cape ProvincesGBIF 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; Wikipedia — Wikipedia contributors; GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

Worth knowing

  • Blue satin flower, or blou sysie, from South Africa, is most often pollinated by beetles, drawn to the dark center of the flower. It is common and widespread, and does well in disturbed places such as roadsides and parks. Wikipedia: Geissorhiza aspera

This source reports two treatments. Both are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1998

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around November 24, 2026 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Warm moist stratification

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

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C Light: either

about 3 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2, in 42 days.

100% germination in 28–42 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1998 · 2nd Supplement, Geissorhiza p. 35Public domain
Show the original text
Geissorhiza (Iridaceae). Except for G. aspera germ. 40(71% in 4-6 w), 70D-40(100% in 4-6 w). Light had no effect. Seeds DS 1 y germ. the same as the fresh seeds.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement, 2nd Supplement, Geissorhiza p. 35. 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, 1998

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around February 22, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Temperature: 40°F 4°C Light: either

Germination happens during step 1, in 42 days.

71% germination in 28–42 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1998 · 2nd Supplement, Geissorhiza p. 35Public domain
Show the original text
Geissorhiza (Iridaceae). Except for G. aspera germ. 40(71% in 4-6 w), 70D-40(100% in 4-6 w). Light had no effect. Seeds DS 1 y germ. the same as the fresh seeds.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement, 2nd Supplement, Geissorhiza p. 35. 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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