Is there a secret to success with S. alabamensis and S. oreophila? I have tried two packets each of ICPS seed and not a single one grew.
I can't speak for alabamensis, but for my oreophila seed, I stratified for 6 weeks, then I let them germinate in extremely hot, humid, bright conditions (I put them in a terrarium where I grow some of my neps that's conveniently also right next to a big window) and let them germinate on pure, chopped sphagnum. I got germination within a week. I find that the higher temperature in my terrariums tends to help me a bit with my germination rates and the speed which they sprout. Mine are still quite just beginning to pop up but I have had pretty decent germination rates so far. I haven't really noticed any extra difficulties with them though, and that's how I germinated all my seed the past few years, so you may just have received some dud seeds...
...tarnok x eva...
...tarnok x flava...