You should see little bits of green within a couple of weeks, HDD.

How about 5-6 days?

Hi HDD.

I have just gone back over a few records of germination, and found the mine average 10 days. The fastest has been 7 days to show a hint of green, while a few were out to 13 days. They seem to be very dependant on temp. I keep mine in a controlled set up with the temp at 76 to 80 F.

Once set up, and kept damp, the seed will typically swell slightly within 2 days, show first sign of germination with a little root emerging around 5 days, followed by the first leaf a couple of days later.

Yes, it varies, but Devo's timetable sounds about right to me. I've occasionally seen activity within a couple of days, but if I don't see anything within a month, it's not going to happen.

With the caps off I'm averaging green in 6 days on Aechmea and Neo's big difference from before I tried this method

That's a very good average HDD...you must have a magic touch. What temps are you keeping them at, & what sort of lighting are you using...?

Devo, Just good ole Texas sun for heat and light

What do you mean by "caps off", HDD? I remember Chester saying something about that but I thought it was just in reference to pineapple seeds.

Does "caps off" just mean no lids on the germinating seed containers...???

HDD are you keeping this a secret?

Sander

I tried lids off and saw tiny white stuff emerging from my neo seeds very quick (and boasted about it). Germination I thougt...

A few days later I found out it was fungus.

In the future I'll just be patient again, keep my lid on and keep things clean.

Any tips on killing the fungus?
Normaly I use springtails to eat it away but they don't seem to find this fungus tatsty.

Sander

Hi Sander, I find that fungus is often a problem with bromeliad seed. The best thing to do is try to aviod it by sterilising the mix and container, cleaning the seed with a weak solution of disinfectant, then when the seed is ready to go, and in the container ready to germinate, spray with a half strength solution of fungicide, and keep spraying about once a week, until the seedlings are well underway. For me Vriesea seed seems to always get a break out of fungus in the early stages of germination. But regular use of the fungicide spray will usually keep it under control.

Thanks Devo

My Vriesea seedlings are at that stage now. I'll try that.

Sander