Becki
zone 5

Clematis columbiana, Sow outdoors late fall for 91% germ. in May/June. Indoor sowing in light at 20ºC (70ºF) should result in 50% germ. over the period of 2 to 10 weeks.

Clematis fremontii , Sow outdoors immediately after seeds ripen in midsummer. Germination begins in late fall.

Clematis occidentalis, Sow at 4ºC (39ºF) for 8 wks, move to 19ºC (65ºF) oscillating with cooler temps. at night.

Clematis mandschurica, recta, vitalba, and viticella , Sow at 18-22ºC (64-71ºF) for 2-4 wks, move to -4 to +4ºC (24-39ºF) for 4-6 wks, move to 5-12ºC (41-53ºF) for germination

Clematis virginiana , Sow at 20ºC (68ºF), germination slow

I'm just telling you my experience so far:

On Dec. 22, I planted nine c. mandschurica (3 in each of 3 peat pellets). I now have three seedlings, one in each peat pellet. I left them on my kitchen counter for about 2 weeks until I put them in my indoor greenhouse under lights. They are sprouting on their own, with no stratification, albeit erratically.

So far, so good.

Shauna

I say its beginners luck Shauna! ((Just kidding))Congratulations!

Sharon