Are Tylecodon difficult from seed, Al? I don't ask purely out of intellectual curiosity ;) In particular, have you ever tried T. singularis?

When it comes to Tylecodon singularis, Shrubs, I've never seen the actual plant. I almost did. A friend purchased one and I had plans to view it. It was a little low thing, a bit like a small crocus corm. It turned to mush a few days before my arrival. One atypically large leaf survived to be laminated. It was a sad event as special blackish stones had been purchased for a habitat-like top dressing. There were plans for exibiting at a regional C&S event. [In spite of it being obviously collected.] We all know what those shows are like. I've trained myself to never again resurrect that subject, even after the required number of beverages.

I've successfully grown Tylecodon shaefferianus and T. paniculatus from seed (T. shaefferianus was slow and my seed had poor germination while the T. paniculatus was just the opposite) and maintained Tylecodon luteosquamata and T. hallii for many years. Sadly, my sole survivors are a non-typical Tylecodon wallichii and two especially fine Tylecodon reticulata.

Al

The single large leaf might not have been atypical. The name of the plant comes from its growth habit, which is to produce a single large leaf from the crocus bulb. Plants in cultivation often produce multiple leaves. Do you think the local show would have appreciated the pseudo-habitat limestone dressing?

Do you think now is a good time to sow the seed? Or better in late summer?

I suspect there is scant time remaining for seedlings to build reserves at this time. I would do the late summer sowing.

Dear Al,

I'd sow the seeds in the fall - that way, they've got the whole growing season to grow, but that's just me, and I've not yet been brave enough to grow from seed.

That sure looks like roots to me! As you know, most other Crassulaceae will grow roots from leaves, so why not Tylecodon....but I wonder what happens when it comes to dormancy time.

That's a nice pioc - hope you get it rooted.

Yes, they're poisonous, but it you take care with them (like not mistaking a cutting for an edible swizzle stick during martini time, something I've heard you Terrapins engage in) you'll be OK.