Deno’s Garden

Helleborus argutifolius

Genus Helleborus

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

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996
  1. Cold moist stratification

    Temperature: 40°F 4°C

No stated waiting before sowing.

0% germination.

Nothing germinated at 40.

This source doesn't state how long.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Helleborus p. 48Public domain
Show the original text
Helleborus (Ranuncufaceae). The data for H. argutifolius is now complete. It germ. 70-40(57% in 7-11 w)-70-40(21% on 2nd d)-70-40(3%) and none in 40-70 or 70 GA-3.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Helleborus p. 48. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around July 23, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on July 22, 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

    21 germinated in this phase.

  5. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  6. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    3 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 2 run on after germination.

about 6 months from start to sowing. Then 77 days to germinate.

57% germination in 49–77 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Helleborus p. 48Public domain
Show the original text
Helleborus (Ranuncufaceae). The data for H. argutifolius is now complete. It germ. 70-40(57% in 7-11 w)-70-40(21% on 2nd d)-70-40(3%) and none in 40-70 or 70 GA-3.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Helleborus p. 48. 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 Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around July 23, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on July 22, 2026.

  1. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

about 6 months from start to sowing. Then 77 days to germinate.

57% germination in 49–77 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Helleborus p. 151Public domain
Show the original text
Helleborus (Ranunculaceae). - H. argutifolius germ. 70-40(57% in 7-11 w). Treatment with GA-3 at 70 not.only failed to stimulate germination but led to rapid rotting of the seeds. A prior 3m at 40 also led to complete rotting of the seeds.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Helleborus p. 151. 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.