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Linum perenne

Blue Flax · Perennial Flax

Family LinaceaeGenus Linum

A pale blue flower with a yellow center on a slender stem hung with green buds
FlowerThomas Huntke, Germany (the uploader). Contact through: http://www.huntke.deCC BY-SA 3.0

About the plant

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

The plant

Habit
Perennial, Shrub, WildflowerExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
perennialPlants of the World Online
Height
1-2 ft30-60 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
0.8-1.5 ft25-45 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Blue, WhiteExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
Spring, SummerExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
Altay, Austria, Belarus, Buryatiya, Central European Russia, China North-Central and elsewhereGBIF Backbone Taxonomy
Hardiness zones
5-8Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sun; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
Clay, Loam (Silt), Shallow RockyExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, Occasionally DryExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox

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

Sources: Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

Worth knowing

  • Perennial flax, native to Europe, mainly the Alps and locally England, has been introduced to North America, where it grows on mountain ridges and in sagebrush steppe. Wikipedia: Linum perenne

This source reports 7 treatments. All are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 8, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Temperature: 40°F 4°C

Germination happens during step 1, in 28 days.

100% germination in 28 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Linum p. 171Public domain
Show the original text
Linum (Unaceae). The yellow flowered Linums centering around L. perenne germ.701-(77% in 6-20 d), 70D(88% in 3-16 d), 40(100% in 4th w), and 100% in March in outdoor treatment.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Linum p. 171. 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, 1993

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

  1. Sow outdoors and leave it

    Up in March.

No stated waiting before sowing.

100% germination.

This source doesn't state how long step 1 lasts.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Linum p. 171Public domain
Show the original text
Linum (Unaceae). The yellow flowered Linums centering around L. perenne germ.701-(77% in 6-20 d), 70D(88% in 3-16 d), 40(100% in 4th w), and 100% in March in outdoor treatment.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Linum p. 171. 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 Low Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 20, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 16 days to germinate.

88% germination in 3–16 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Linum p. 171Public domain
Show the original text
Linum (Unaceae). The yellow flowered Linums centering around L. perenne germ.701-(77% in 6-20 d), 70D(88% in 3-16 d), 40(100% in 4th w), and 100% in March in outdoor treatment.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Linum p. 171. 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 Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

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

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 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

    1 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 2 run on after germination.

about 6 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

77% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Linum p. 171Public domain
Show the original text
Linum (Unaceae). The yellow flowered Linums centering around L. perenne. Germination extended over a number of cycles in all treatments. Fresh seed germ. 70-40(11%)-70(52%)-40(12%)- 70(2%)-40(1%)-70(7%) and 40(33%)-70(12%)-40(36%)-70(11%). Seed DS 6 m at 70 germ. 70(22%)-40(15%)-70(15%) and 40(77%)-70(1 %).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Linum p. 171. 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 September 17, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on September 16, 2026.

  1. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    11 germinated in this phase.

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    12 germinated in this phase.

  5. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    2 germinated in this phase.

  6. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    1 germinated in this phase.

  7. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    7 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 3 run on after germination.

about 6 months from start to step 3. Germination happens during step 3; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

52% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Linum p. 171Public domain
Show the original text
Linum (Unaceae). The yellow flowered Linums centering around L. perenne. Germination extended over a number of cycles in all treatments. Fresh seed germ. 70-40(11%)-70(52%)-40(12%)- 70(2%)-40(1%)-70(7%) and 40(33%)-70(12%)-40(36%)-70(11%). Seed DS 6 m at 70 germ. 70(22%)-40(15%)-70(15%) and 40(77%)-70(1 %).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Linum p. 171. 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 High Rated by us, not by the source.

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

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    33 germinated in this phase.

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    12 germinated in this phase.

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    11 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 3 run on after germination.

about 6 months from start to step 3. Germination happens during step 3; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

36% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Linum p. 171Public domain
Show the original text
Linum (Unaceae). The yellow flowered Linums centering around L. perenne. Germination extended over a number of cycles in all treatments. Fresh seed germ. 70-40(11%)-70(52%)-40(12%)- 70(2%)-40(1%)-70(7%) and 40(33%)-70(12%)-40(36%)-70(11%). Seed DS 6 m at 70 germ. 70(22%)-40(15%)-70(15%) and 40(77%)-70(1 %).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Linum p. 171. 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

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

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

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    15 germinated in this phase.

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    15 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 2 run on after germination.

about 6 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

22% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Linum p. 171Public domain
Show the original text
Linum (Unaceae). The yellow flowered Linums centering around L. perenne. Germination extended over a number of cycles in all treatments. Fresh seed germ. 70-40(11%)-70(52%)-40(12%)- 70(2%)-40(1%)-70(7%) and 40(33%)-70(12%)-40(36%)-70(11%). Seed DS 6 m at 70 germ. 70(22%)-40(15%)-70(15%) and 40(77%)-70(1 %).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Linum p. 171. 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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