Pachypodium, Adenium, Plumeria - all in the same family. The main requirement is that seed is relatively fresh, not more than a few months old for best germination. This is apparently the main obstacle people encounter unless your seed source is reliable.

The other important factor is heat: 85F+ moist heat to get quick germination. At lower temps, the seeds are slower and rot is more likely.

Light is not necessary for sprouting. Good luck!

Thanks Xerophyte..The seeds better be fresh. Got them off Ebay from a nursery that specializes in seeds.
We'll see.
A couple years ago we bought a tray at Home Deoit. Bottom heats up/electris. That outta do it.
What about covering? Should I set plastic over the top, if/until seeds germinate? Thanks again, Toni

Bottom heat is the way to go. There is a big difference between 70F and 80F.

In terms of covering with plastic, you have 2 options the way i see it:

1) cover with plastic to keep humidity high, fresh seed should germinate in 2-5 days +/- so if the seeds remain covered it may be wise to use a fungicide to keep rot away.

2) keep the pots in a tray with water so they never dry out, just make sure the seed itself is buried enough that it does not dry out.

My personal preference would be to keep the seeds in plastic bags for 2-3 days for maximum humidity and imbibement, then fresh air (from a fan) in a tray with water until they sprout leaves. A heating mat is not nearly as effective under a tray of water however, so it depends on what time of year you are sowing.

Hopefully all goes well. If it doesn't work out, you can always get yourself an established young plant. They are not really expensive and you save yourself several years of waiting.

All the best,
x

Hi Xerophyte. You've been most helpful.
The seeds are planted in Peat Pellets..Are you familiar with them?
Don't think I have large plastic bags. But that's a great idea. I'll have to go to the store and buy a box. Then insert tray into bags, and keep on the heating tray. Since they don't need sun or much to germinate, I have the perfect spot.

2-5 days to germinate? Are you serious? lol..I'm sure you are..but Xero, I can't recall any seeds, other than annuals, germinating that fast.
Do you sow seeds? If so, what do you do? Inject steroids? lol j/k..
Maybe it's a matter of heat that makes a difference. When sowing Pachy seeds in 2006, those on the heating tray germinated faster than those without, but it still took 1-2 months to sprout. What am I doing wrong?

Roselatum's are impossible to find. I'd be finding a young plant. Seeds were a last resort. Thanks again, Toni

Anyway, thanks for your help..gonna get the bags..Toni

i've never actually attempted pachy from seed, but i have tried plumies and adenium, whose flowers, seed pods and seed appear identical. perhaps i wrongly assumed that pachys respond in the same manner with speedy sprouting. i had adenium sprout within 24 hrs. if i had pachy seeds i would treat them the same. nonetheless, heat will help - not steroids :-)

check here for P. rosulatum $5.50

Xerophyte..Thanks so much.. I forgot about Grigsby's.
Of course, while browsing, I came across a good number of sux I'd love to add. Too many..lol
Since there's a 25.00 min charge, adding other plants will justify ordering more. lol

Have you ever ordered from Grisby's? If so, what size plants does he ship?

I can't believe your Adeniums and Plumerias sprouted within 24 hours!! Well, I believe you, but it's amazing.
Were the seeds on a heating source, under lights, what, what, what? :)
Did you add fertilizer? Anything else? Soak seeds, before planting?
What type of mix did you use?
Sorry for all the questions, but since you've got yours to sprout so fast, I'd love learning your secret..thanks again, Toni

haven't ordered from grigsby in a few years but i recall them being pretty decent

fast sprouting is no secret formula, you just MUST have fresh seed and lots of heat + humidity.

seeds were on a heating mat under fluorescent lights, sealed in plastic baggies - soaked for about an hour first in warm water + sulfur fungicide. soil was equal parts peat moss + bark fines + perlite, but the seedlings get transplanted after about 6 months into a more stable mix.

the lights are not necessary for germinating but I use them right away because the seeds that do sprout quickly need light ASAP otherwise they start to stretch.

x

Thanks X. Artificial lights are in rooms kept too chilly for seeds. Tray is near a south window. Not directly in front, a few feet away. When/if seeds germinate, they'll go in a brighter spot.

As for freshness, hopefully seeds aren't left sitting on shelves for long periods. I ordered from Seedmart/via Ebay..ever hear of the company?

Thanks for the help, Xero. T

I have followed all the advice above and have 1 P. Rosalatum. I had an Adenium sprout, but it didn't survive. My best shot was a P. Saudersonii, got it to grow leaves and survived through the fall, but not the winter. Haven't got the winter watering/cool temps thing down yet.

Sage

Hey Sage,
Was the Adenium bare root or a cutting? That's too bad, they're such pretty plants.

As for your P Saudersonii, was it a seedling or mature plant?
If it was a seedling or young/baby, (during winter) even though soil needs to dry, it should get a tad more water than an established plant. Warmth helps too.
Never water at night or during cloudy days, moreso if the room is kept cool..68F and under.
So, did your Saudersonii die? Are you sure it wasn't dormant? Dormant plants look dead..leaves fall. It's normal. As soon as leaves drop, withhold all fertilizer..Water once a month, but don't soak soil.
From late Feb on, baby leaves will sprout, plant will look alive. When leaves are half the size of mature leaves, add a very mild dose of fertilizer..organic is best. I use Fish Emulsion. Or well-dilluted Cactus fert.
One more thing. My Pachy's are kept in a cool, not cold room..the cooler the temp, more chance leaves fall..if kept about 68-70F, leaves will remain throughout winter..
Some Pachy's are deciduous, so no matter how warm or cool the room is leaves drop and plant looks dead.
I'd have to research Sandersonii, not familier with that species. Good luck..Toni

PS,,so far one P. Roselatum sprouted..Whoppee! It's about 4" tall.Toni

All my Adenium and Pachypodia were sprouted from seeds.

Thanks for the watering advice. Some days it got quite cold even indoors. The Saundersonii did get rot. It was my proudest accomplishment to date from seed.

I get Adenium Obessum to sprout, but I'll have to wait till next Spring to try again. Right now, I do have a functioning PAchypodium Rosalatum in a pot with a Hibiscus, also grown from seed. So far, it is still alive.

Sagebrush

Hey Sage...Congrats on all the seedlings.
Which of the two grow faster, Pachy or Adenium?
Do you keep seeds covered before they sprout? A few of my seedlings took off..two are about 4", but don't have true leaves. Do you think I should remove them from the tray? Problem is, the tips of leaves are nearing the plastic cover. Another 1/4", top leaves will hit the top.

How did your Pachy and Hib end up together? lol..What a combo..total different care..Hibs are tropical, (others hardy,) require different fertilizer, and much more water. Are you going to keep the two together?

I can't wait until seeds arrive..They should be here tomorrow or Thurs the latest.

Sage, good luck with your seedlings. Toni

For me, the Pachy grew faster.

I painted a chip and dip ceramic bowl. You know, the kind that looks like a sombrero - I planted Pachcereus Pringlei in the 'dip' area and planted various seeds (not that many in the outer ring - a few kinds on Pachys and Adenium. I planted them a 3, 6 and 9 oclock.

My eastern window doesn't get that much sun in the spring because of the leaves on the trees. Most of the Pachys and Adenium did not sprout, but one Adenium and one Rosalatum did.

I can't put the planter on the windowsill - its too big, but the Cardons don't mind - they seem happy.

Not having enough sprouts in the outer ring, I put the Adenium sprout and the Pachy sprout in the hibiscus pot which is on the windowsill. The Adenium didn't make it. Pachy and hib seem to love each others company. So they will stay in that pot for the winter.

Sagebrush

Hey Sage, your planter sounds really nice. Do you have a picture?
I hope the Sombreros' dip is large enough since Pachcereus is the largest of cacti..lol..They grow 60' tall and exceed 3' in diameter.

Did you discard the Pachy and Adenium seeds? How long did you wait, 'if you tossed them?' Sage, the last time I sowed Pachys, it took at least 8 months before most germinated. I hope you didn't toss them before a years time. Especially this time of year, and in low light.
I would think Adeniums are slower growing than Pachys, and I also believe some Pachys take more time than other pachys, maybe more difficult sprouting.

If Pachys and Hibs works for you, keep them together. What works for some may not work for others.

Tonight, gotta sow seeds. I hope they fit in peat pellets. Pachy Leali, Dorstenia Foetida and Dorstenia spp. Pachy's are a tad large, so I'll slip them in the pellet hole carefully.
Do you soak seeds before sowing? What type of soil did you use?

I'm sorry you lost your seedlings, Toni

Hi Toni,

I generally do not soak seeds, but I will give it a try next time and see if that increases my production.

My dip and chip bowl still has dirt in it, so you can't see the colors. My friend bought a 'paint your own' ceramic store.

It was fall when I painted it, so I was thinking of the colors of fallen leaves. I live in New England where it is quite colorful. The color scheme was Orange, Yellow, Brown, Gold and Red. I was impressed on how it came out.

I don't sprout seeds this time I year, but I begin around Jan. 15. By then, the days are getting longer and the sprouts can take advantage of that.

Next year, I want to try Grizzly Bear Opuntia, some real Sage and maybe Baobab.

Sagebrush