Mendel’s Gardens

Actaea spicata

Baneberry · Herb Christopher

Family RanunculaceaeGenus Actaea

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

Sun
Partial to full shade
Soil
Rich, organic, well-draining woodland soil
Soil pH
5-7
Organic matter
High
Watering
Consistently moist, never waterlogged

Source: Mendel’s Gardens Records.

Protocol

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

    The seeds are enclosed in a berry

  2. Leach in running water

    Duration: 7 days

    washed in water and cleaned daily

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    Germination took place at 40, but only after one or more prior cycles.

about 6 months from start to sowing. Then 49 days to germinate.

88% germination in 28–49 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Actaea p. 88Public domain
Show the original text
Actaea (Ranunculaceae). The seeds are enclosed in a berry and were given an initial WC for 7 d. Germination took place at 40, but only after one or more prior cycles. The radicle develops at 40 to a length of 2-3 inches after which growth stops. … A. pachypoda germ. 40-70-40(85-90% in 3-6 w, zero order with md. t 20 d and 5%Id) using fresh seeds
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Actaea p. 88. 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.