Cephalotus 'Eden Black' Seed Stratification: To Chill or Not?

A grower won Cephalotus 'Eden Black' seeds and found conflicting stratification advice. ICPS trials showed similar germination rates (9 vs 8 seeds) with and without 8-week cold stratification.

Nursery Experience

• Unstratified – Took 6 months to germinate; nearly discarded at 4 months.
• Stratified (2 months) – Germinated within 1 month after chilling.

Recommendation

Stratify. Faster, more reliable germination reduces risk of accidental disposal. While some conditions may favor unstratified germination, they're not yet well understood.

Method

1. Sow on moist peat/perlite.
2. Seal in bag with fungicide spray.
3. Refrigerate 8 weeks (check periodically for mold).
4. Move to warm, bright conditions.

Patience is key – Cephalotus seeds are slow regardless.