Improving the odds

Cyclamen seed can be very slow and erratic to germinate.   Ideally it is fresh, kept evenly damp, cool and dark for a couple of months.  Sown in a pot outside, the temperature fluctuates, the soil dries out and night and day plays a part.  Germination rates vary widely.

Soaked in water for 24 hours, sealed in a plastic ziplock bag and stored in the garage for 8 weeks - this is the result.  Almost 100% germination.  The brown shapes are the original seed, the white ones are the embryo tubers.  Sown in compost leaves will soon follow ..... watch for the follow-up blip in the spring.  First flowers 18 months - two years from now.

For scale the label at the back of the shot is 1cm wide.