Seeds

[Tim]

Greetings, all.

I note that there are several methods to use in getting good germination of Sarrecenia seed. I have a big family which I have to earn a living for, so my time is limited, but at the same time, if people on this board are good enough to send me seeds, I want to show respect by doing what I can to get the best germination possible from what I am sent.

Can any of you describe the steps you use to stimulate good germination? The least number of steps the better.

Thanks as always

Tim

 

[NickHubbell]

This is for Sarracenia seed.

1. Place seeds in a plastic bag with some damp sphagnum moss.
2. Place bad with seeds and moss in refrigerator for 4 weeks.
3. After 4 weeks, space seeds about 1 cm apart on the surface of a moist mixture of peat/perlite or milled sphagnum moss.
4. Cover container with clear plastic and place in indirect sunlight.

Hope that helps.

 

[Tim]

Thanks, mine are now in full sunlight. If you think it's best, I can put them under the main greenhouse table.

 

[Sarraceniaobsessed]

Tim,
Nick has it down. I would add this:

* Instead of putting the seeds in moist spaghnum(they are small and tend to get lost easily) I put mine on a paper towel, roll it up, wet it, zip lock bag it and label it with a Sharpie pen. (laundry marker)
* when stratification is complete(4 wks) wring the paper towel out and dump the seeds onto a plate to dry. They are so much easier to handle if the don't stick to your fingers.
* I get a plastic shoe box with a lid at Target or such ($3.00) and put my moss in that then sow the seeds. The lid helps keep the humidity up.
* Placing seeds out individually can be nerve racking, especially if you are a coffee achiever like me. I sprinkle mine on the top of pre-moisted, chopped, long fiber, sphagnum moss.
*Germination occurs in 4 weeks. Just add water to the box as needed. You will get moss and slime molds with a lot of light. You can use grounded cinnamon on the slime molds or allow the moss to dry slightly to kill them, then water again.
* heat helps speed germ.
* I would not put them under the bench. They need light to germ.

Sorry to be so verbose but I find details make the difference.
Happy Growing!

Brooks

 

[Tim]

Thanks. Those are a lot of details! I think I'll rather put them in the frig for a bit, dump them on moist peat, and keep them on the second layer of my greenhouse!!

Thanks!
Tim