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Thalictrum dioicum

Early Meadow-rue · Quicksilver-weed

Family RanunculaceaeGenus Thalictrum

Small pale yellow flowers with dangling stamens, hanging from a branched stem above leaves cut into rounded lobes, in dappled woodland.
FlowerUnknownPublic domain

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
1-2 ft30-60 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
1-2 ft30-60 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Green, Purple/Lavender, WhiteExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
SpringExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
Canada, lower 48 states, St. Pierre and MiquelonPLANTS Database
Hardiness zones
4-7Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sun; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, MoistExtension 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 Low Rated by us, not by the source.

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

  1. Gibberellic acid soak

  2. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C

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

100% germination in 14 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Thalictrum p. 220Public domain
Show the original text
Thalictrum (Ranunculaceae). Germination in this genus was found to be dramatically stimulated by GA-3. The seedlings are normal and healthy. This is a great benefit because otherwise germination is low and much extended in most of the species. In general DS is not tolerated. Light was not used in this genus. T. dioicum requires GA-3. Seeds germ. 70 GA-3(100%, zero order rate, in 14 d, and rate 4%/d), 70-40-70(1%)-40(2%), 40-70(all rotted), and 5% in April in outdoor treatment. Seeds DS 6 m at 70 were dead.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Thalictrum p. 220. 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.

  1. Sow outdoors and leave it

    Up in April.

No stated waiting before sowing.

5% germination.

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

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Thalictrum p. 220Public domain
Show the original text
Thalictrum (Ranunculaceae). Germination in this genus was found to be dramatically stimulated by GA-3. The seedlings are normal and healthy. This is a great benefit because otherwise germination is low and much extended in most of the species. In general DS is not tolerated. Light was not used in this genus. T. dioicum requires GA-3. Seeds germ. 70 GA-3(100%, zero order rate, in 14 d, and rate 4%/d), 70-40-70(1%)-40(2%), 40-70(all rotted), and 5% in April in outdoor treatment. Seeds DS 6 m at 70 were dead.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Thalictrum p. 220. 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 June 19, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on June 18, 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

    1 germinated in this phase.

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

about 9 months from start to step 4. Germination happens during step 4; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

2% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Thalictrum p. 220Public domain
Show the original text
Thalictrum (Ranunculaceae). Germination in this genus was found to be dramatically stimulated by GA-3. The seedlings are normal and healthy. This is a great benefit because otherwise germination is low and much extended in most of the species. In general DS is not tolerated. Light was not used in this genus. T. dioicum requires GA-3. Seeds germ. 70 GA-3(100%, zero order rate, in 14 d, and rate 4%/d), 70-40-70(1%)-40(2%), 40-70(all rotted), and 5% in April in outdoor treatment. Seeds DS 6 m at 70 were dead.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Thalictrum p. 220. 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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