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Polemonium vanbruntiae

Appalachian Jacob's-ladder · Jacob's Ladder · Van Brunt's Jacob's-ladder · Vanbrunt's Polemonium

Family PolemoniaceaeGenus Polemonium

Violet-blue bell flowers hanging in a cluster, each with long white filaments carrying bright yellow anthers well clear of the petals.
FlowerTom ScavoCC BY-SA 4.0

About the plant

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

Habit
perennialPlants of the World Online
Habit
Perennial, Forb/herbPLANTS Database
Flower
Purple-blueWikipedia
Native range
Canada, lower 48 statesPLANTS Database

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; PLANTS Database — USDA NRCS; Wikipedia — Wikipedia contributors.

Worth knowing

  • Appalachian Jacob's ladder is vulnerable worldwide and presumed gone from New Jersey. Its main threat is the loss of wetland habitat, for example to flooding when dams are built. Wikipedia: Polemonium vanbruntiae

Two sources report 10 treatments between them. All are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1998

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around December 15, 2026 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

about 3 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

90% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1998 · 2nd Supplement, Polemonium p. 55Public domain
Show the original text
Polemonium (Polemoniaceae). P. vanbruntiae DS 1 y germ. 40-70D(62% in 4-9 d) which is nearly as high as the 40-70D(90%) found with fresh seed (2nd Ed.). Seeds DS 2 y germ. 40-70D(26% in 3rd w) which shows significant dying.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement, 2nd Supplement, Polemonium p. 55. 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 December 28, 2026 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on December 27, 2025.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 365 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 Light: dark

about 15 months from start to step 3. Germination happens during step 3, in 9 days.

62% germination in 4–9 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1998 · 2nd Supplement, Polemonium p. 55Public domain
Show the original text
Polemonium (Polemoniaceae). P. vanbruntiae DS 1 y germ. 40-70D(62% in 4-9 d) which is nearly as high as the 40-70D(90%) found with fresh seed (2nd Ed.). Seeds DS 2 y germ. 40-70D(26% in 3rd w) which shows significant dying.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement, 2nd Supplement, Polemonium p. 55. 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 High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around December 16, 2026 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on December 15, 2024.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 730 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 Light: dark

about 2 years from start to step 3. Germination happens during step 3, in 21 days.

26% germination in 21 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1998 · 2nd Supplement, Polemonium p. 55Public domain
Show the original text
Polemonium (Polemoniaceae). P. vanbruntiae DS 1 y germ. 40-70D(62% in 4-9 d) which is nearly as high as the 40-70D(90%) found with fresh seed (2nd Ed.). Seeds DS 2 y germ. 40-70D(26% in 3rd w) which shows significant dying.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement, 2nd Supplement, Polemonium p. 55. 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 Low 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. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: light

about 6 months from start to sowing. Then 21 days to germinate.

95% germination in 21 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Polemonium p. 195Public domain
Show the original text
Polemonium (Polemoniaceae). The following germ: in 2-5 w at 70: P. vanbruntiae germination required either light or a preliminary 3 m moist at 40 as shown by 70L(57% in 1-11 w), 70D(2%), 40(6%)-70L(90% in 2-4 d), and 40(6%)- 70D(90% in 4-8 d). Shifting the sample in 700 to 70L after 5 w germ. 96% in 1-16 d. Seed DS 6 m at 70 germ. 70L(95% in 1 .3 w), 70D(none), 40-70L(95% in 1-12 d), and 40-70D(87% in 6-8 d).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Polemonium p. 195. 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 Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around December 24, 2026 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: light

about 3 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2, in 12 days.

95% germination in 1–12 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Polemonium p. 195Public domain
Show the original text
Polemonium (Polemoniaceae). The following germ: in 2-5 w at 70: P. vanbruntiae germination required either light or a preliminary 3 m moist at 40 as shown by 70L(57% in 1-11 w), 70D(2%), 40(6%)-70L(90% in 2-4 d), and 40(6%)- 70D(90% in 4-8 d). Shifting the sample in 700 to 70L after 5 w germ. 96% in 1-16 d. Seed DS 6 m at 70 germ. 70L(95% in 1 .3 w), 70D(none), 40-70L(95% in 1-12 d), and 40-70D(87% in 6-8 d).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Polemonium p. 195. 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 Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around January 1, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    6 germinated in this phase.

  2. Warm moist stratification

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

about 3 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2, in 4 days.

90% germination in 2–4 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Polemonium p. 195Public domain
Show the original text
Polemonium (Polemoniaceae). The following germ: in 2-5 w at 70: P. vanbruntiae germination required either light or a preliminary 3 m moist at 40 as shown by 70L(57% in 1-11 w), 70D(2%), 40(6%)-70L(90% in 2-4 d), and 40(6%)- 70D(90% in 4-8 d). Shifting the sample in 700 to 70L after 5 w germ. 96% in 1-16 d. Seed DS 6 m at 70 germ. 70L(95% in 1 .3 w), 70D(none), 40-70L(95% in 1-12 d), and 40-70D(87% in 6-8 d).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Polemonium p. 195. 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 Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around December 28, 2026 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    6 germinated in this phase.

  2. Warm moist stratification

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

about 3 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2, in 8 days.

90% germination in 4–8 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Polemonium p. 195Public domain
Show the original text
Polemonium (Polemoniaceae). The following germ: in 2-5 w at 70: P. vanbruntiae germination required either light or a preliminary 3 m moist at 40 as shown by 70L(57% in 1-11 w), 70D(2%), 40(6%)-70L(90% in 2-4 d), and 40(6%)- 70D(90% in 4-8 d). Shifting the sample in 700 to 70L after 5 w germ. 96% in 1-16 d. Seed DS 6 m at 70 germ. 70L(95% in 1 .3 w), 70D(none), 40-70L(95% in 1-12 d), and 40-70D(87% in 6-8 d).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Polemonium p. 195. 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, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around December 28, 2026 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

about 3 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2, in 8 days.

87% germination in 6–8 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Polemonium p. 195Public domain
Show the original text
Polemonium (Polemoniaceae). The following germ: in 2-5 w at 70: P. vanbruntiae germination required either light or a preliminary 3 m moist at 40 as shown by 70L(57% in 1-11 w), 70D(2%), 40(6%)-70L(90% in 2-4 d), and 40(6%)- 70D(90% in 4-8 d). Shifting the sample in 700 to 70L after 5 w germ. 96% in 1-16 d. Seed DS 6 m at 70 germ. 70L(95% in 1 .3 w), 70D(none), 40-70L(95% in 1-12 d), and 40-70D(87% in 6-8 d).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Polemonium p. 195. 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, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around January 18, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: light

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 77 days to germinate.

57% germination in 7–77 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Polemonium p. 195Public domain
Show the original text
Polemonium (Polemoniaceae). The following germ: in 2-5 w at 70: P. vanbruntiae germination required either light or a preliminary 3 m moist at 40 as shown by 70L(57% in 1-11 w), 70D(2%), 40(6%)-70L(90% in 2-4 d), and 40(6%)- 70D(90% in 4-8 d). Shifting the sample in 700 to 70L after 5 w germ. 96% in 1-16 d. Seed DS 6 m at 70 germ. 70L(95% in 1 .3 w), 70D(none), 40-70L(95% in 1-12 d), and 40-70D(87% in 6-8 d).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Polemonium p. 195. 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

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

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

Start around March 15, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

No stated waiting before sowing. Germination time not stated; 21 days assumed.

2% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Polemonium p. 195Public domain
Show the original text
Polemonium (Polemoniaceae). The following germ: in 2-5 w at 70: P. vanbruntiae germination required either light or a preliminary 3 m moist at 40 as shown by 70L(57% in 1-11 w), 70D(2%), 40(6%)-70L(90% in 2-4 d), and 40(6%)- 70D(90% in 4-8 d). Shifting the sample in 700 to 70L after 5 w germ. 96% in 1-16 d. Seed DS 6 m at 70 germ. 70L(95% in 1 .3 w), 70D(none), 40-70L(95% in 1-12 d), and 40-70D(87% in 6-8 d).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Polemonium p. 195. 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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