The message
from "Barry & Iris McCanna" contains these words:


"Janet Galpin and Oliver Patterson" wrote in
message ...

As you describe, Ray gathers pine needles and puts them in an old
tin lid,
or something of that sort. Then he sets fire to it, then he plants
the
seeds! He also plants the seeds in a foil lined compost tray,
puts pine
needles on top, sets fire to them and waters the ashes in. Both
methods
work and both are equally hit and miss! It's really not easy to
germinate at
all.
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.co.uk

I'm tempted to try too. Is it just the ash that does it or is actual
heat necessary? I wasn' t sure with Sacha's first method whether the
ashes are added later when cool or whether the seeds are heated by
the
process.
Also, Sacha, you say it's not easy to germinate them. Has Ray had
*some*
success? How hopeless is it? (The seed isn't cheap!)

Janet G


Janet,

My Chiltern packet was only just over £2.00 which wasn't bad
considering that to buy a plant is megabucks - £9.00 I was quoted. I
thought it worth a try and am going to try both ways, one cold and one
warm. The link I found on Google said they germinate in fire. I
plan to burn the pine needles and then mix the ash with the compost
which was one recommendation and then follow Ray's methods as well.
I'll let you know if I'm successful. If so, then you would be welcome
to have a seedling or two. Optimistic aren't I :-))

Best wishes
Iris

You're right, Iris, it's not much (£2.82 now). I just wanted a little
encouragement!

Thanks for your kind (and optimistic) offer. I'm still tempted to have a
go myself. If I do, we'll compare notes. Did you get the impression
that, if the firing worked, germination followed reasonably quickly? Are
you going to try now or wait unitil spring?

Janet G