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Flower Jacques van der Merwe CC BY-SA 4.0 Illustration Bentham-Moxon Trust.; Curtis, William; Curtis's botanical magazine dedications, 1827-1927 : portraits and biographical notes.; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.; Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust. Public domain About the plant What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.
Habit tuberous geophyte Plants of the World Online
Flower Violet, red Read from the photograph on this page
Native range Cape Provinces GBIF 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; Read from the photograph on this page — Deno's Garden; GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility.
This source reports 11 treatments. All are shown.
Protocol 1 N. C. Deno, 1998 Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.
Start around December 9, 2026 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on December 8, 2025.
1 Dry storage
Duration: 365 days · Temperature: 70°F 21°C
2 Warm moist stratification
Duration: 90 days · Temperature: 70°F 21°C · Light: dark
3 Cold moist stratification
Duration: 90 days · Temperature: 40°F 4°C
about 15 months from start to step 3. Germination happens during step 3, in 28 days.
100% germination in 28 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. rochensis DS 1 y germ. 70D-40(100% in 4th w). G. rochensis spithamaea germ. 70D(7% in 5-8 w)-40(23% in 4-10 w) and 70L-40(95% in 4th w). Seeds DS 1 y germ. 40(54% in 2-6 w) and 70D(27% in 8-10 w)- 40(73% in 4th w), and seeds DS 2 y germ. 40(80% in 4-10 w) and 70D(none). The fresh seeds would presumably have germ. best if placed directly at 40. 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 N. C. Deno, 1998 Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.
Start around December 8, 2026 for a May 3 last frost.
1 Warm moist stratification
Duration: 90 days · Temperature: 70°F 21°C · Light: light
2 Cold moist stratification
Duration: 90 days · Temperature: 40°F 4°C
about 3 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2, in 28 days.
95% germination in 28 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. rochensis DS 1 y germ. 70D-40(100% in 4th w). G. rochensis spithamaea germ. 70D(7% in 5-8 w)-40(23% in 4-10 w) and 70L-40(95% in 4th w). Seeds DS 1 y germ. 40(54% in 2-6 w) and 70D(27% in 8-10 w)- 40(73% in 4th w), and seeds DS 2 y germ. 40(80% in 4-10 w) and 70D(none). The fresh seeds would presumably have germ. best if placed directly at 40. 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 3 N. C. Deno, 1998 Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.
Start around November 11, 2026 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on November 10, 2025.
1 Dry storage
Duration: 365 days · Temperature: 70°F 21°C
2 Warm moist stratification
Duration: 90 days · Temperature: 70°F 21°C · Light: light
3 Cold moist stratification
Duration: 90 days · Temperature: 40°F 4°C
about 15 months from start to step 3. Germination happens during step 3, in 56 days.
92% germination in 21–56 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. monantha germ. 70D-40(40% in 4-6 w) and 70L-40(88% in 4th w). Seeds DS 1 y germ. 40(85% in 4-8 w), 70D-40(74% in 6th w),>and 70L-40(92% in 3-8 w). In view of the latter results fresh seeds would have undoubtedly germ. at 40. 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 4 N. C. Deno, 1998 Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.
Start around December 8, 2026 for a May 3 last frost.
1 Warm moist stratification
Duration: 90 days · Temperature: 70°F 21°C · Light: light
2 Cold moist stratification
Duration: 90 days · Temperature: 40°F 4°C
about 3 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2, in 28 days.
88% germination in 28 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. monantha germ. 70D-40(40% in 4-6 w) and 70L-40(88% in 4th w). Seeds DS 1 y germ. 40(85% in 4-8 w), 70D-40(74% in 6th w),>and 70L-40(92% in 3-8 w). In view of the latter results fresh seeds would have undoubtedly germ. at 40. 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 5 N. C. Deno, 1998 Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.
Start around February 9, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on February 8, 2026.
1 Dry storage
Duration: 365 days · Temperature: 70°F 21°C
2 Cold moist stratification
Temperature: 40°F 4°C
about 12 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2, in 56 days.
85% germination in 28–56 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. monantha germ. 70D-40(40% in 4-6 w) and 70L-40(88% in 4th w). Seeds DS 1 y germ. 40(85% in 4-8 w), 70D-40(74% in 6th w),>and 70L-40(92% in 3-8 w). In view of the latter results fresh seeds would have undoubtedly germ. at 40. 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 6 N. C. Deno, 1998 Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.
Start around January 26, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on January 25, 2025.
1 Dry storage
Duration: 730 days · Temperature: 70°F 21°C
2 Cold moist stratification
Temperature: 40°F 4°C
about 2 years from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2, in 70 days.
80% germination in 28–70 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. rochensis DS 1 y germ. 70D-40(100% in 4th w). G. rochensis spithamaea germ. 70D(7% in 5-8 w)-40(23% in 4-10 w) and 70L-40(95% in 4th w). Seeds DS 1 y germ. 40(54% in 2-6 w) and 70D(27% in 8-10 w)- 40(73% in 4th w), and seeds DS 2 y germ. 40(80% in 4-10 w) and 70D(none). The fresh seeds would presumably have germ. best if placed directly at 40. 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 7 N. C. Deno, 1998 Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.
Start around November 25, 2026 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on November 24, 2025.
1 Dry storage
Duration: 365 days · Temperature: 70°F 21°C
2 Warm moist stratification
Duration: 90 days · Temperature: 70°F 21°C · Light: dark
3 Cold moist stratification
Duration: 90 days · Temperature: 40°F 4°C
about 15 months from start to step 3. Germination happens during step 3, in 42 days.
74% germination in 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. monantha germ. 70D-40(40% in 4-6 w) and 70L-40(88% in 4th w). Seeds DS 1 y germ. 40(85% in 4-8 w), 70D-40(74% in 6th w),>and 70L-40(92% in 3-8 w). In view of the latter results fresh seeds would have undoubtedly germ. at 40. 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 8 N. C. Deno, 1998 Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.
Start around December 9, 2026 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on December 8, 2025.
1 Dry storage
Duration: 365 days · Temperature: 70°F 21°C
2 Warm moist stratification
Duration: 90 days · Temperature: 70°F 21°C · Light: dark
27 germinated in this phase.
3 Cold moist stratification
Duration: 90 days · Temperature: 40°F 4°C
about 15 months from start to step 3. Germination happens during step 3, in 28 days.
73% germination in 28 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. rochensis DS 1 y germ. 70D-40(100% in 4th w). G. rochensis spithamaea germ. 70D(7% in 5-8 w)-40(23% in 4-10 w) and 70L-40(95% in 4th w). Seeds DS 1 y germ. 40(54% in 2-6 w) and 70D(27% in 8-10 w)- 40(73% in 4th w), and seeds DS 2 y germ. 40(80% in 4-10 w) and 70D(none). The fresh seeds would presumably have germ. best if placed directly at 40. 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 9 N. C. Deno, 1998 Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.
Start around February 23, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on February 22, 2026.
1 Dry storage
Duration: 365 days · Temperature: 70°F 21°C
2 Cold moist stratification
Temperature: 40°F 4°C
about 12 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2, in 42 days.
54% germination in 14–42 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. rochensis DS 1 y germ. 70D-40(100% in 4th w). G. rochensis spithamaea germ. 70D(7% in 5-8 w)-40(23% in 4-10 w) and 70L-40(95% in 4th w). Seeds DS 1 y germ. 40(54% in 2-6 w) and 70D(27% in 8-10 w)- 40(73% in 4th w), and seeds DS 2 y germ. 40(80% in 4-10 w) and 70D(none). The fresh seeds would presumably have germ. best if placed directly at 40. 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 10 N. 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 days · Temperature: 70°F 21°C · Light: dark
2 Cold moist stratification
Duration: 90 days · Temperature: 40°F 4°C
about 3 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2, in 42 days.
40% 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. monantha germ. 70D-40(40% in 4-6 w) and 70L-40(88% in 4th w). Seeds DS 1 y germ. 40(85% in 4-8 w), 70D-40(74% in 6th w),>and 70L-40(92% in 3-8 w). In view of the latter results fresh seeds would have undoubtedly germ. at 40. 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 11 N. C. Deno, 1998 Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.
Start around October 28, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on October 27, 2026.
1 Warm moist stratification
Duration: 90 days · Temperature: 70°F 21°C · Light: dark
7 germinated in this phase.
2 Cold moist stratification
Duration: 90 days · Temperature: 40°F 4°C
about 3 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2, in 70 days.
23% germination in 28–70 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. rochensis DS 1 y germ. 70D-40(100% in 4th w). G. rochensis spithamaea germ. 70D(7% in 5-8 w)-40(23% in 4-10 w) and 70L-40(95% in 4th w). Seeds DS 1 y germ. 40(54% in 2-6 w) and 70D(27% in 8-10 w)- 40(73% in 4th w), and seeds DS 2 y germ. 40(80% in 4-10 w) and 70D(none). The fresh seeds would presumably have germ. best if placed directly at 40. 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.
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