Mendel’s Gardens

Phemeranthus calycinus

Largeflower Fameflower · Fameflower

Family MontiaceaeGenus Phemeranthus

Also published as Talinum calycinum. You are in the right place.

About the plant

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

The plant

Habit
Herbaceous perennialPlant Finder
Habit
Perennial, Forb/herb, SubshrubPLANTS Database
Height
0.5-0.75 ftPlant Finder
Spread
0.75-1 ftPlant Finder
Flower
Showy; rose pink, rose redPlant Finder
Blooms
JulyPlant Finder
Native range
Central United StatesPlant Finder
Native range
Native to the lower 48 statesPLANTS Database
Hardiness zones
5-9Plant Finder

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sun
Soil
Average, well-drained; prefers rocky or sandy
Watering
Dry to medium

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Plant Finder — Missouri Botanical Garden; PLANTS Database — USDA NRCS.

This source reports two treatments. Both are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around December 26, 2026 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    Deno gives no length for this period; three months is his standard cycle.

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C

    17% in one sample and 50% in the other, over 2-10 days.

about 3 months from start to sowing. Then 10 days to germinate.

17% germination in 2–10 days.

Two samples that disagree -- 17% and 50%. Either way it is the only route that works.

This source doesn't state how long.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, TalinumPublic domain
Show the original text
Talinum (Portulacaceae). Sowing at 40was better than sowing at 70. T. calycinum germ. 40-70(17% and 50%, 2 samples, in 2-10 d) and none at 70..
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Talinum. 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.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993
  1. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C

    Nothing.

No stated waiting before sowing.

0% germination.

Nothing at all. Deno's rule for the genus holds here: sowing at 40 beats sowing at 70.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, TalinumPublic domain
Show the original text
Talinum (Portulacaceae). Sowing at 40was better than sowing at 70. T. calycinum germ. 40-70(17% and 50%, 2 samples, in 2-10 d) and none at 70..
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Talinum. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record; the step names come from a fixed list.