Germination Instructions
General sowing and cultivation method:
We would like to show you here a new sowing method, which is very easy to handle, and has shown great success in the germination results. This method can be used for all seeds (except orchid and carnivorous seeds, see description below).
There is no pretreatment of the seeds necessary. The seeds should be sown in cat litter. Please be very sure that you are using cat litter on mineral basis (plain clay) which is non clumping, non scented, and do NOT use the silica gel type, the clay-like or clay clumping type. The advantage, cat litter is absolutely germ-free.
Fill a plastic pot with cat litter and put the seeds on top. Then cover the seeds with a very thin layer of cat litter. Put the plastic pot inside a zipper lock closure type, pressure catch bag, which should be a bit larger than the plastic pot you are using. Fill the ziplock bag with enough tap water so that after the substrate is fully saturated only a few mm of water remain at the bottom of the bag. The water should include a few drops of universal fertilizer. Then seal the pressure catch bag closed.
Now you only have to take care about the temperature, around 86 F for bamboo seeds and between 68 F - 86 F for all other seeds and put the plastic bag in a place with enough bright daylight, but no direct sun.
Bamboo seeds
Use the above described general sowing method. The best germination temperature is around 86F (30C).
Sowing and cultivation instructions (other seeds):
Use the above described general sowing method.
Large seeds, seeds with hard bowl
e.g. Mimusops elengi, Phyllanthus emblica, Bauhinia purpurea, Thespesia populnea
Before sowing file with a nail file or roughen up, then put in warm water for 24 - 48 h, then sowing.
Smaller seeds
e.g. Acacia, Cassia, Pinus patula, Grevillea robusta, Jacaranda mimosaefolia, Lantana camara, Parkinsonia aculeate, Carica papaya, Moringa pterygosperma, Dillenia indica, Mimosa pudica
Put in warm water for 2 - 3 h, then sowing.
Very small seeds
e.g. Eucalyptus, Callistemon, Morus alba, Broussonetia papyrifera, Vinca rosea
Put on top of the sowing soil, do not cover with soil.
Winged seeds
e.g. Tecoma stans, Spathodea campanulata
Put on top of the sowing soil and cover with a thin layer of soil.
Cold Stratification
For the following species:
Acer, Ginkgo, Magnolia, Paeonia, Chionanthus, Cedrus, Sophora
The seeds of some winter hardy species need cold stratification before sowing, otherwise the germination will take extremely long. For the cold stratification please put the seeds in wet sand in a closed plastic bag in the refrigerator for about 3 months. You must take care, that the seeds do not mouldy. To avoid mould, please prepare the seeds with Chinosol. Then sowing.
Special handling for Protea, Leucospermum seeds
Best sowing time is in a time, when it is warm during the day (20 C - 25 C) and cool in the night (around 10 C). The difference between day and night temperature should be at least 12 C. this will stimulate the germination process. The following pre-sowing treatment will improve the germination:
- Put the seeds for 24 h in lukeworm water with ash of wood (3 small spoons / 100 ml water) or
- Put the seeds for 2 h in 1 part water and 2 parts H2O2 - (10% H2O2 available in pharmacies or drugstores).
Soil:
Protea seed germinate best in cool well-drained seedbeds or seed boxes. Soil sad must be light in texture incorporating compost or leafmould or peat moss mixed with sand or garden soil. The mixture should be slightly acid (pH of under 6). Seeds should be sown very shallow (about 5 mm) and covered with light sand. Protect with wire netting against birds and mice.
Water regularly in the absence of rain, but see that the water drains away, as Proteas do not like wet feet.
Germination varies according to species and climate and may take 4 weeks to 4 months.
As soon as the first true leaves appear, seedlings can be transplanted into pots or individual containers. It is best to transplant when the plants are small. Soil for those containers should be similar to that of the seedbeds. Regular watering is advised, but care should be taken not to overwater. Also see that the containers are well-drained.
Orchid seeds:
The germination of orchid seeds is not an easy task. Please see the description below for further information (seed germination): https://www.orchideenvermehrung.at/en/index.htm
Carnivorous plant seeds:
Please use special soil for carnivorous plants and sow the seeds. Do not cover the seeds with the soil, carnivorous plants need light for germination. For further please see our general sowing and cultivation method.
Tillandsia seeds
Tillandsia are laid out on a plastic meth and sprayed at least twice a day with soft water. The temperature should be around 25 C. After approximately 2 weeks you can fertilize the seeds with a complete fertilizer. Germination takes about 4 weeks.