I purchased some seeds of C. nobilis recently, and they germinated quickly and easily. Some of them pushed themselves up onto the surface of the soil and it was fun to watch the first root-like-thing emerge and wander over the surface of the soil. Eventually, the shoot and true root developed from the root-like-thing.

The whole germination process reminds me of remote germination that occurs in palms. I don't know if the anatomy is the same, but in palms the first thing to emerge is not really a root, it is called a cotyledonary petiole and it it is attached to the cotyledon that stays inside the seed (absorbing nutrients from the endosperm).

I'm told that C. nobilis is slow growing, so I guess it will be a while before I can expect blooms.

Cordially,