Germinating now?

[arillady]

I suggest you contact:
http://www.wildseedtasmania.com.au/search.php
as they supply seed.
When I ordered different seed they sent me a few pages of hints on how to germinate different seed.

[Kristl Walek]

... I have germinated Ramonda serbica sown on moist perlite in a closed plastic container.  The seed germinated two weeks after sowing.  Apart from being very patient how should I now treat these tiny seedlings?  

Just catching up in this thread. I hope your Ramonda seedlings have survived and thrived, Mike.
Ramonda is generally easy to germinate (quickly at warm), as you know, but the trick is post germination.

I find they transplant fine as well, but it is the (very long) period required between germination and planting out that I have always found challenging. It is always hard to know how to deal with seedlings that will need (years) of growth indoors before they are large enough to be planted out. I recall my last batch of R. myconii was indoors for perhaps 3 or more years before going into the garden.

The closed plastic container that you used for germination is, in fact, what I have adopted for most species that are small at germination and slow growers. Except my medium would have been something that could withstand all stages of germination and growth, without having to transplant the seedlings. My choice is spaghnum, which is moisture retentive and naturally antiseptic. I have used it successfully for Ramonda, Haberlea, and once, long ago, for Jankaea. Ferns, Rhododendron, Epigaea and others also benefit from this method.

[Lesley Cox]

I've not used the closed plastic container method so can't comment on that but with the exception of Pinguicula grandiflora, everything I've sown on spaghnum has either not germinated or been so quickly overwhelmed by the moss that it was totally lost, including ramondas. I now use what I use for any very small seeds, grit over seed mix and the seed sown over the grit and not covered at all, watered lightly with a soft shower-type nozzle.

These two pots which germinated some months ago show how successful the grit sowing can be. Both are big enough to handle now - I just need some time to get on with it - and you'll be interested to know Kristl, that the seeds you sent me a couple of years ago of Epigaea , are little plants of about 5cms in diameter and doing well.





Oddly John, the other packet of Shortia you sent at the same time, while one germinated quickly, the others are coming up just now and in quantity, perhaps the single plus in this cool, damp summer the lower South Island is having.

 

[Kristl Walek]

how interesting, Lesley....and NO MOSS has been one of the huge benefits for me in using spaghnum.
I always use finely chopped live moss....wonder if that is the difference.

check out this link on sarracenias in live moss (another genus i always used it for)

http://icps.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=sarracenia&action=display&thread=949

by the way your tag says Epigaea asiatica---if i sent you seed, it would have been Epigaea repens.

[Lesley Cox]

I should have been clearer. Yes, your seed Kristl was E. repens and lovely wee plants they now are. Those in the picture are young seedlings from my own E. asiatica, originally from SRGC seed, maybe 10 year ago?

[johnw]

Oddly John, the other packet of Shortia you sent at the same time, while one germinated quickly, the others are coming up just now and in quantity, perhaps the single plus in this cool, damp summer the lower South Island is having.

Lesley - Well done!

My Shortia seeds have been sprouting the 2nd year lately.  Very odd as they have sprouted within three weeks in the past.

johnw -  -4c at 23:00

[John Kitt]

Does anybody have any experience with germinating Centrolepsis Monogyna  (endemic Tasmanian Western Pincushion)

Failing direct experience, what is the practice with germinating pincushion seeds?

[rob krejzl]

Can anyone advise me on how to germinate seed of Blandfordia punicea,I have only ever got one seed to germinate and I let it get too dry and lost it after two years.
I have tried everything including smoke but nothing works.

Michael,

AFAIK this only requires simple stratification. Maybe fresher seed next time? This is one of the seeds which Marcus Harvey occasionally lists - you might try there.

Does anybody have any experience with germinating Centrolepsis Monogyna  (endemic Tasmanian Western Pincushion)

John,

I don't have any experience of this one. Failing an answer from someone on the list, I'd suggest talking to someone at the Ridgeway nursery.

[John Kitt]

Thanks Rob.  I was up there on the weekend and saw why you only look at Isophysis tasmanica.

However I came across this little cushion which rejoices with the name Pterygopappus lawrencei which I couldn't resist.

[rob krejzl]

I feel envious every time I go.

Bolster plants are fascinating aren't they; the bolsters you see up at Mt Field are like perfect miniature gardens.

[Maggi Young]

I don't have any experience of this one. Failing an answer from someone on the list, I'd suggest talking to someone at the Ridgeway nursery.

 Is this the nursery you mean, Rob?
   http://www.potn.com.au/

[rob krejzl]

Yes. I think it's the best native plant nursery we have in the state. A wide range of plants, far beyond the usual Lomandras, Dianellas, etc., -  orchids, alpines (Geum talbotianum for instance, a plant I've only managed to flower once. Of course, that was when we were in drought, so maybe I should try again....) though the native bonsai are now sold in a separate nursery

[Lesley Cox]

It must have been where I saw Coprosma moorei, Pernettya tasmanica red berried and yellow berried form all in fruit. I couldn't buy the plants for me but was able to get them for a Blue Mtns friend.

John Weagle may care to note that this week I have 3 tiny seedlings up of Shortia soldanelloides!!! Very thrilled about those and hoping for some more. The previous shortias are big enough to handle now. I also have a few seedlings this week of Asteranthera ovata.