Callirhoe Seeds

Wine Cup Callirhoe Seeds
The wine-cup, or poppy-mallow is one of the most brilliant of wildflowers. It is a low, sprawling perennial with a thick, tuberous root.
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Tips on How to Grow Wine Cups

A hardy, drought tolerant, sprawling perennial native to Texas and the central United States. The numerous trailing stems spread vine like over the ground originating from a carrot-like tuber. The magnificent dark purple-red or wine colored flowers are numerous found at the end of slender stems. The flowers close each evening and remain permanently shut after pollination. The stems and leaves of the entire plant die back in the heat of summer and should be trimmed to promote fall growth. Easy to grow from seed, or can be started from the carrot-like tuber. Prefers full sun in gravelly or sandy soils. The seed is actually enclosed in 2 seed covers, which I didn't realize at first since it isn't very hard. Here is the only way this stubborn variety will sprout by artificial means. First, remove the first seed cover (sandy color) by snipping at the edge with nail clippers. Then slide the black seed out. This is the second coat. Carefully nick it on the side to allow moisture to penetrate. Soak in hand hot water over night. Wet a kitchen paper towel, squeeze out excess. Fold the towel in 1/2 and place seeds in a corner. Fold one end over the seeds, then fold again. You will have a square. Place this in a zip lock baggie, zip it but leave room for you to blow it up like a balloon, then quickly close it. The air will stay if the track are lined up correctly on the bag. This allows the seeds to "breathe", rather than have the plastic laying on the package. Place the baggie in a 40 to 55F degree temperature. I used the windowsill. Depending on your climate, you can place the baggie outdoors in a protected spot out of sun. It took only 3 days for my seeds to poke out radicals (tiny roots) from where I nicked the seed. When you see radicals (roots) develop they have germinated. Allow them to grow 1/4" long. With tweezers, pick the seed up, holding it by the cover. Make a hole in the sowing mix with a pencil and gently guide the seed into it. Make sure that when you plant the sprouted seeds that the roots are placed downwards in the soil. Tuck the seed in level with the soil and barely cover. Or, plant in individual small containers or pots.