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Nigella damascena

Damascus Hellebore · Devil in the Bush · Love-in-a-mist

Family RanunculaceaeGenus Nigella

A white flower of many narrow petals with green horned styles curving above it, surrounded by a cage of thread-fine bracts, against black.
FlowerParkerdrCC BY-SA 3.0

About the plant

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

The plant

Habit
AnnualExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
annualPlants of the World Online
Height
1-2 ft30-60 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
1-1.5 ft30-45 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Blue, Purple/Lavender, WhiteExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
SummerExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
Albania, Algeria, Baleares, Bulgaria, Canary Is., Corse and elsewhereGBIF Backbone Taxonomy
Hardiness zones
2-11Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sunExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
Clay, Loam (Silt), SandExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, Occasionally WetExtension 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

Two sources report 9 treatments between them. All are shown.

Protocol 1

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

Germination happens during step 1, in 42 days.

90% germination in 21–42 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1998 · 2nd Supplement, Nigella p. 50Public domain
Show the original text
Nigella (Ranunculaceae). Data is now more complete. N. damascena germ. 70D(88% in 6-8 d)-40(5%)-70D(4%), 70L(62% in 1-10 w)- 40(15% in 4th w), and 40(90% in 3-6 w). HC reported that it required light and temp. 60-85. Clearly his results are not in accord with mine! N. damascena hybrid germ. 70D(40% in 1-12 w)-40(30% in 4-12 w), 70L(70% in 1-10 w)-40(30% in 8th w), and 40(32% in 3-12 w)-70D(10% in 1st w).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement, 2nd Supplement, Nigella p. 50. 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 Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 28, 2027 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

    5 germinated in this phase.

  3. Warm moist stratification

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

    4 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 1 run on after germination.

Germination happens during step 1, in 8 days.

88% germination in 6–8 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1998 · 2nd Supplement, Nigella p. 50Public domain
Show the original text
Nigella (Ranunculaceae). Data is now more complete. N. damascena germ. 70D(88% in 6-8 d)-40(5%)-70D(4%), 70L(62% in 1-10 w)- 40(15% in 4th w), and 40(90% in 3-6 w). HC reported that it required light and temp. 60-85. Clearly his results are not in accord with mine! N. damascena hybrid germ. 70D(40% in 1-12 w)-40(30% in 4-12 w), 70L(70% in 1-10 w)-40(30% in 8th w), and 40(32% in 3-12 w)-70D(10% in 1st w).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement, 2nd Supplement, Nigella p. 50. 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, 1998

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around January 25, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Warm moist stratification

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

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    30 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 1 run on after germination.

Germination happens during step 1, in 70 days.

70% germination in 7–70 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1998 · 2nd Supplement, Nigella p. 50Public domain
Show the original text
Nigella (Ranunculaceae). Data is now more complete. N. damascena germ. 70D(88% in 6-8 d)-40(5%)-70D(4%), 70L(62% in 1-10 w)- 40(15% in 4th w), and 40(90% in 3-6 w). HC reported that it required light and temp. 60-85. Clearly his results are not in accord with mine! N. damascena hybrid germ. 70D(40% in 1-12 w)-40(30% in 4-12 w), 70L(70% in 1-10 w)-40(30% in 8th w), and 40(32% in 3-12 w)-70D(10% in 1st w).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement, 2nd Supplement, Nigella p. 50. 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, 1998

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around January 25, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Warm moist stratification

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

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    15 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 1 run on after germination.

Germination happens during step 1, in 70 days.

62% germination in 7–70 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1998 · 2nd Supplement, Nigella p. 50Public domain
Show the original text
Nigella (Ranunculaceae). Data is now more complete. N. damascena germ. 70D(88% in 6-8 d)-40(5%)-70D(4%), 70L(62% in 1-10 w)- 40(15% in 4th w), and 40(90% in 3-6 w). HC reported that it required light and temp. 60-85. Clearly his results are not in accord with mine! N. damascena hybrid germ. 70D(40% in 1-12 w)-40(30% in 4-12 w), 70L(70% in 1-10 w)-40(30% in 8th w), and 40(32% in 3-12 w)-70D(10% in 1st w).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement, 2nd Supplement, Nigella p. 50. 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, 1998

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around January 11, 2027 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

    30 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 1 run on after germination.

Germination happens during step 1, in 84 days.

40% germination in 7–84 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1998 · 2nd Supplement, Nigella p. 50Public domain
Show the original text
Nigella (Ranunculaceae). Data is now more complete. N. damascena germ. 70D(88% in 6-8 d)-40(5%)-70D(4%), 70L(62% in 1-10 w)- 40(15% in 4th w), and 40(90% in 3-6 w). HC reported that it required light and temp. 60-85. Clearly his results are not in accord with mine! N. damascena hybrid germ. 70D(40% in 1-12 w)-40(30% in 4-12 w), 70L(70% in 1-10 w)-40(30% in 8th w), and 40(32% in 3-12 w)-70D(10% in 1st w).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement, 2nd Supplement, Nigella p. 50. 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, 1998

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around January 11, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

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

    10 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 1 run on after germination.

Germination happens during step 1, in 84 days.

32% germination in 21–84 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1998 · 2nd Supplement, Nigella p. 50Public domain
Show the original text
Nigella (Ranunculaceae). Data is now more complete. N. damascena germ. 70D(88% in 6-8 d)-40(5%)-70D(4%), 70L(62% in 1-10 w)- 40(15% in 4th w), and 40(90% in 3-6 w). HC reported that it required light and temp. 60-85. Clearly his results are not in accord with mine! N. damascena hybrid germ. 70D(40% in 1-12 w)-40(30% in 4-12 w), 70L(70% in 1-10 w)-40(30% in 8th w), and 40(32% in 3-12 w)-70D(10% in 1st w).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement, 2nd Supplement, Nigella p. 50. 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, 1996

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 28, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 8 days to germinate.

88% germination in 6–8 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Nigella p. 61Public domain
Show the original text
Nigella (Ranunculaceae). N. damascena germ. 70D(88% in 6-8 d) and 70L(30% in 9-12 d). A second sample germ. 70D{33% in 6-12 d) and 70L(10% on 9th d).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Nigella p. 61. 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

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 24, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: light

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 12 days to germinate.

30% germination in 9–12 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Nigella p. 61Public domain
Show the original text
Nigella (Ranunculaceae). N. damascena germ. 70D(88% in 6-8 d) and 70L(30% in 9-12 d). A second sample germ. 70D{33% in 6-12 d) and 70L(10% on 9th d).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Nigella p. 61. 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

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 27, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: light

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 9 days to germinate.

10% germination in 9 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Nigella p. 61Public domain
Show the original text
Nigella (Ranunculaceae). N. damascena germ. 70D(88% in 6-8 d) and 70L(30% in 9-12 d). A second sample germ. 70D{33% in 6-12 d) and 70L(10% on 9th d).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Nigella p. 61. 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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