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Gypsophila vaccaria

China Cockle · Cowherb · Spanish Cockle

Family CaryophyllaceaeGenus Gypsophila

Clusters of pink flowers with broad notched petals and darker veining, on sprawling stems among low green foliage.
FlowerVicki MillerCC0

About the plant

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

Habit
annualPlants of the World Online
Flower
Pale pinkWikipedia
Native range
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Austria, Baleares, Belgium 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; Wikipedia — Wikipedia contributors; GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

Worth knowing

  • Cowherb, also called cow soapwort and prairie carnation, was once the only species in the genus Vaccaria, as Vaccaria hispanica. Its seeds are used in Chinese medicine. Wikipedia: Gypsophila vaccaria

This source reports three treatments. All are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around July 19, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on July 18, 2026.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 240 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Temperature: 40°F 4°C Light: either

about 8 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

30% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Vaccaria p. 84Public domain
Show the original text
Vaccaria (Caryophyllaceae). This genus is a variant of Saponaria. Both species germ. at the same rate at 40 as at 70. V. hispanica DS 8 m germ. 40(30%) and 70(10%) both in the 2nd w. The ungerminated seed rapidly rotted. The higher germination at 40 may be due to a slowing down of the rate of rotting. Light or GA-3 had no effect. Seeds DS 20 m germ. 70D(4%) indicating extensive dying, and seeds DS 3 y were all dead.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Vaccaria p. 84. 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 19, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on July 18, 2026.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 240 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: either

about 8 months from start to sowing. Germination time not stated; 21 days assumed.

10% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Vaccaria p. 84Public domain
Show the original text
Vaccaria (Caryophyllaceae). This genus is a variant of Saponaria. Both species germ. at the same rate at 40 as at 70. V. hispanica DS 8 m germ. 40(30%) and 70(10%) both in the 2nd w. The ungerminated seed rapidly rotted. The higher germination at 40 may be due to a slowing down of the rate of rotting. Light or GA-3 had no effect. Seeds DS 20 m germ. 70D(4%) indicating extensive dying, and seeds DS 3 y were all dead.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Vaccaria p. 84. 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, 1996

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

Start around July 24, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on July 23, 2025.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 600 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

about 1.5 years from start to sowing. Germination time not stated; 21 days assumed.

4% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Vaccaria p. 84Public domain
Show the original text
Vaccaria (Caryophyllaceae). This genus is a variant of Saponaria. Both species germ. at the same rate at 40 as at 70. V. hispanica DS 8 m germ. 40(30%) and 70(10%) both in the 2nd w. The ungerminated seed rapidly rotted. The higher germination at 40 may be due to a slowing down of the rate of rotting. Light or GA-3 had no effect. Seeds DS 20 m germ. 70D(4%) indicating extensive dying, and seeds DS 3 y were all dead.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Vaccaria p. 84. 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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