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Silene virginica

Virginia Campion · Virginia Catchfly · Fire Pink

Family CaryophyllaceaeGenus Silene

Two scarlet flowers with five narrow notched petals spread like stars, their stamens tipped dark, against mossy ground.
Flower(user Arx Fortis)CC BY-SA 3.0

About the plant

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

The plant

Habit
Herbaceous Perennial, WildflowerExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
perennialPlants of the World Online
Height
0.5-2 ft15-60 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
0.8-2 ft25-60 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Red/BurgundyExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
Spring, SummerExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
Canada, lower 48 statesPLANTS Database
Hardiness zones
4-8Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Dappled Sunlight; Full sun; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow RockyExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, Moist, 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; PLANTS Database — USDA NRCS.

Worth knowing

This source reports three treatments. All are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Very 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: 40°F 4°C

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    2 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.

3% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Silene p. 214Public domain
Show the original text
Silene (Caryophyllaceae). While many Silene germ. at 70 like typical Caryophyllaceae, complex patterns and photoeffects were found in some species. OS seed of the following species germ. in 2-5 w at 70: S. virginica germ. 70-40-70(2%)-40-70 and 40(2%)-70 with fresh seed and 40(3%)-70(2%) with seed DS 6 m at 40. Other treatments gave no germination. Photoeffects should be studied.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Silene p. 214. 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 Very high Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 15, 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

Steps after step 1 run on after germination.

Germination happens during step 1; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

2% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Silene p. 214Public domain
Show the original text
Silene (Caryophyllaceae). While many Silene germ. at 70 like typical Caryophyllaceae, complex patterns and photoeffects were found in some species. OS seed of the following species germ. in 2-5 w at 70: S. virginica germ. 70-40-70(2%)-40-70 and 40(2%)-70 with fresh seed and 40(3%)-70(2%) with seed DS 6 m at 40. Other treatments gave no germination. Photoeffects should be studied.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Silene p. 214. 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 Very 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

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  5. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

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.

2% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Silene p. 214Public domain
Show the original text
Silene (Caryophyllaceae). While many Silene germ. at 70 like typical Caryophyllaceae, complex patterns and photoeffects were found in some species. OS seed of the following species germ. in 2-5 w at 70: S. virginica germ. 70-40-70(2%)-40-70 and 40(2%)-70 with fresh seed and 40(3%)-70(2%) with seed DS 6 m at 40. Other treatments gave no germination. Photoeffects should be studied.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Silene p. 214. 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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