All I can say is awesome!!

That is SO cool! I wonder if that's how all stems start? If I recall correctly, people have said that sometimes even if all stems die out, if the roots are still alive sometimes they will put out new stems on their own. Is that correct? If so, then I guess that's what we're seeing here. How incredibly cool to get such a great shot of it! Thanks Miguel!

I have no idea about seed germination but that is very interesting looking, Miguel. I wonder if that is a once in a lifetime thing or if it happens alot(the stem developing from the root).

Carol

Well all, I talked to Helen who sent me the seeds that were germinated with roots only showing and here is what she said (realize that Helen very much adheres to the sprout in a baggie method with vermiculite so she has seen this first hand many times):

That's fantastic, it's more advanced than any of mine and I had some potted
up weeks before I sent you the seeds.
Miguel, these are the ones I have that have done the same thing with the
seeds.
First ones I noticed were Lasiandras.
Then
Viornas
All the viticella types I have germinated.
Addisonii
Funny thing, some Crispa seedlings are like that and others have shucked the
seed and went straight to leaves.
Minuet
Odoriba
Japonica
Pitcheri Hybrids
Texensis
Campaniflora
and all the type 3's you sent me that germinated all put up the little
green shoot from behind the seed rather than releasing leaves from the seed.

Integrifolias, atragenes , hirusutissima and columbianas all just shuck the
seed and get leaves usually within a day or two of transplanting.
When I transplant my seedlings into pots I leave the seed above ground,
mostly because I was scared they might rot.
It doesn't seem to bother them .

The master germinator has spoken!! Thanks Helen. ;)

Thanks Miguel, and thanks Helen! I find the whole thing fascinating but I still think I will leave the whole seedling thing to you!

Carol

Miguel, I have had the same experience as you and Helen with my viticella seeds, 1 of your Type III mix, and one of my HF Young seedlings seed. I started them in the baggie 1st as well this year for the first time.

I send 3 of my sprouted viticella seed to Richard in the UK last month, and he replied that they arrived in good shape as well.

Joan

Good to know Joan. Evidently these seedlings are hardier than we give them credit for.

Ah come on Carol. You know you want to try growing these from seed!

Just wondering where one might buy clematis seedlings? HOw patient do you have to be for that? Not sure here in Zone 5 if they would make it?

Laura

Laura, no one I know sells seedlings of the size that I am talking about here. Some places sell small plants that are a year or so old, but not what I would call seedlings. You will have to get them by starting them from seeds yourself. Like any small plant, overwintering them would really depend on your zone. I would tend to keep very young seedlings in a cool place around or slightly above freezing their first winter depending on how big they were. Of course, if you started them from seeds, I would act conservatively in their storage to insure their survival but that is just me!