cuneifolia, nana, & banksii seed germination
While I can't help with the other two, D. cuneifolia will likely need to be treated the same as other South African winter-growing species. The seeds need to be sown immediately (and hopefully it isn't too late in the year already) and kept on a shorter photoperiod at cooler temperatures, similar to tuberous sundews.
For D. nana the treatment described here should work. International Carnivorous Plant Society - Growing Drosera indica complex
D. banksii seed is quite a score! 'Not a lot of this one in the US.
D. banksii seed is quite a score! 'Not a lot of this one in the US.
I managed to germinate d. Cuneifolia on a windowsill without problems , I wouldn't of thought temps exceeded 20c , seeds were fresh with no special treatment
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I will follow this method.
According to ark of life's entry on D. cuneifolia, the plants are not high maintainence about dormancies (noting the use of the phrase "tend to go dormant"). I know Bluemax has a plant, I'm wondering if yours observes dormancy specifically because it looks like it follows Silvermine type morphology.
Drosera cuneifolia – Ark of Life, stopping extinction
Anyone know if D. banksii requires smoke treatment?
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I have had no sign of dormancy from my D.cuneifolia in the several years that I have had it. I give it cooler conditions in winter and it just seems to grow more slowly without actually shutting down. My thoughts about smoke treatment are that it is cheap, easy and probably can't do any damage to your seeds.
I would be careful with smoke treatment. I did read some studies recently on smoke treatment of seeds and they appeared to show a reduction in germination when applied at the wrong strength, for the wrong amount of time, or even using the wrong brand of liquid smoke (apparently the flavor matters.) If it's not required, I wouldn't risk it.
Also I understood that D. cuneifolia was a winter-growing plant - I would expect it to go dormant during summer. Perhaps it's like pygmy sundews where it will only go dormant if conditions are poor.
Also I understood that D. cuneifolia was a winter-growing plant - I would expect it to go dormant during summer. Perhaps it's like pygmy sundews where it will only go dormant if conditions are poor.
'Sounds like an interesting study. Is it available online?
It took me a few minutes to track these articles down again...
https://rirdc.infoservices.com.au/downloads/98-108
PLOS ONE: Methods to Promote Germination of Dormant Setaria viridis Seeds
https://rirdc.infoservices.com.au/downloads/98-108
PLOS ONE: Methods to Promote Germination of Dormant Setaria viridis Seeds
Thanks! 'Hope I haven't diverted the topic of this thread too much.
As far as D. cuneifolia goes, I find that mine grows well in the warmer temps of summer but it seems to prefer some span of temperatures from daytime to night. I don't know the location data for the form but I wonder if it is not from at least several thousand feet above sea level. My growing area gets down in the low 40's in mid-winter without inducing a true dormancy.
As far as D. cuneifolia goes, I find that mine grows well in the warmer temps of summer but it seems to prefer some span of temperatures from daytime to night. I don't know the location data for the form but I wonder if it is not from at least several thousand feet above sea level. My growing area gets down in the low 40's in mid-winter without inducing a true dormancy.
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Hi Mark , I believe d.cuneifolia is meant to be a winter grower so dormancy would occur with the heat in summer, apparently there are a couple of locations and they don't both go dormant. My plants haven't gone dormant either. Here's a link Drosera cuneifolia – Ark of Life, stopping extinction I'd like to see a six inch diameter plant though? Mine get to around three at best
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That's a very good resource for many S. African species. Thanks!
Dundee Downs climate, averages and extreme weather record | Meat & Livestock Australia
This might be helpful in regards to D. nana (I would assume these plants set seed during the rainy season so I would probably germinate it on wet soil).
This might be helpful in regards to D. nana (I would assume these plants set seed during the rainy season so I would probably germinate it on wet soil).
