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Rumex crispus

Curled Dock · Curly Dock · Narrowleaf Dock

Family PolygonaceaeGenus Rumex

A stout red stem hung with dense spikes of papery rust-brown fruits, above wavy-edged leaves in an open field.
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About the plant

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

The plant

Habit
PerennialExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
annual or perennialPlants of the World Online
Flower
Brown/Copper, Gold/Yellow, GreenExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
SummerExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Altay, Austria, Azores and elsewhereGBIF Backbone Taxonomy
Hardiness zones
4-8Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sun; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow RockyExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Moist, Occasional Flooding, 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

  • Its leaves have waved or curled edges. It grows on waste ground, roadsides and field edges, and is a serious invasive species in many places, including North America. Wikipedia: Rumex crispus

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

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1998

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 22, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: light

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 14 days to germinate.

100% germination in 14 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1998 · 2nd Supplement, Rumex p. 59Public domain
Show the original text
Rumex (Polygonaceae). Germinations for the first six were about the same for seeds DS 3 y as for fresh seeds (seelst Suppi. for data on fresh seeds). R. crispus DS 3 y gérm. 70D(none) and 70L(100% in 2nd w).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement, 2nd Supplement, Rumex p. 59. 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 Very 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. Gibberellic acid soak

  3. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C

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

2% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Rumex p. 73Public domain
Show the original text
Rumex (Polygonaceae). Some species require light and others do not. The seeds were DS 8 m when received. They were studied when received. They were also studied after DS for 2 y except for R. crispus DS 8 m germ. 70L(94% in 5-11 d), 70D(1%), and 70 GA-3(2%). A prior 3 m at 40 or DS 2 y had littie effect.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Rumex p. 73. 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 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: dark

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

1% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Rumex p. 73Public domain
Show the original text
Rumex (Polygonaceae). Some species require light and others do not. The seeds were DS 8 m when received. They were studied when received. They were also studied after DS for 2 y except for R. crispus DS 8 m germ. 70L(94% in 5-11 d), 70D(1%), and 70 GA-3(2%). A prior 3 m at 40 or DS 2 y had littie effect.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Rumex p. 73. 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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