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Winter seedlings

11 years ago

In a heated plant box, 14 hours under T5HOs.


Thanks, Rick! I think the rest of the seeds will germinate, they're just taking longer than the first ones. (brown stuff on the right is a refugee Neochilenia occulta seedling surrounded by cinnamon powder).

Pagan

Comments (46)

  • 11 years ago

    Those are looking good Pagan. I like the fat one on the lower left.

    I too sowed some seed from Rick and I barely see them pushing up the soil. I'm excited for them.


    Mark


  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    I am glad that they are doing well for you, Pagan. I hope you see some soon, Mark.

    Mine are growing quite nicely and was excited as one of them is Variegated. Time will tell as to whether it holds the variegation or reverts back to plain green. Hope it stays. Quite like the pattern on it.

    I transplanted them into their own little cells recently.

  • 11 years ago

    I hope that seedling keeps its variegation, Rick. I can't wait for my seedlings to show what's what!
    So far I have 4 of A. arabicum x crispum, all 5 of the A. obesum x crispum and one each of the A. obesum x arabicum and A. arabicum hansoti.

  • 11 years ago

    Hello Everyone! This is my first post. I've been reading the adenium threads but just been a stalker until now. I had two babies straighten their little curved over necks this morning when I woke up and thought I would share. I have three trays of various adenium that should all be perking up over the next couple of days if I am lucky. These in the photo are A. obesum Kaleidoscope.





  • 11 years ago

    Pagan, that is great. We should keep track of how they do and compare differences between the different crosses over time. Would be curious to see the how they differ.

    Mark can join in as his grow also.


    addicted2plants, Good Name. that is great with yours starting to grow. I hope that you keep us up to speed on their progress.

    I had bought some seed back in 2010 from Kukuan of Adeniumcenter of Thailand with the same name, Kaleidoscope.

    Hope you enjoy yourself here.

    Rick

  • 11 years ago

    Hello, friends, when did we get a new face on Gardenweb?

    I am so behind, I haven't sign in for sometimes.

    Pagan, your seedlings look great for this time of the year.

    Marie

  • 11 years ago

    Marie!! So glad you made it through the revolution lol
    It turns out I'm better at sowing adenium seeds in the winter. In summer, I tend to ignore them completely. Are you moving out your pots yet?

    Pagan


  • 11 years ago

    I uproot all of them and still 7 died so far, the winter still young.

    Few were 9 years +.....

  • 11 years ago

    I love new face gardenweb. The fonts are bigger for my old eyes.



  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    My two seedlings had a few friends come up today. If you look closely you can see lots of little places where they are breaking through the media.


    Tracy

  • 11 years ago

    Damn. That sucks, Marie. And such mature plants to boot. I lost one too, though and I only have five adults (20 percent loss, in small-number statistics). This winter is ridiculous, it broke my personal record of "coldest I've ever walked in", which was -14C and the new record now is -24C. We're getting more snow and frozen rain next week as well.

    Tracy--checking every half-hour, are you? Obsess much? Welcome to the club lol

    Pagan



  • 11 years ago

    Mary, So nice to have you back postings. Sorry to hear of the loses of plants.

    You have such a wonderful group of Adenims and some so large. Hope the others will rally.


    Pagan, What awful temperatures. I hope that it warms up for you.


    Isn't that right about checking in on our seedlings. Sounds crazy, but I know when I have a batch sown. I check usually after the 3 day and when they start coming up, I get so thrilled. Do not think about it at the time, but now when I am. Glad no ones around.

    Rick

  • 11 years ago

    Why yes, I obsess quite often. It is fabulous to know that there are others like me.


    Here is my rationale for this particular obsession...I bought some seeds from Mr KO and have 2 trays of various A arabicum and A obesum germinating. The 3rd tray which are the Kaleidoscope seeds came from a different eBay seller and were offered without the hassle of bidding and paying ridiculous amounts for KO's seed. And... since I have such a high kill ratio I am hoping the bulk seeds will produce equally strong plants since sometimes 15 seed may only result in a few plants.


    -24C is insane! How to do bundle up for this kind of walking? Even more important, how do you keep your plants happy all winter? Are they heated or under lights?

  • 11 years ago

    You bundle up in at least 4 layers of clothing (I did five), a Russian hat over a beanie and Canadian snow boots lol (I have to say, nothing works like Canadian snow boots) This is only my fourth winter so of course I had to walk it. I learned what "wind chill" really means which is this: don't go outside, idiot.

    Most of my plants are winter-growing succulents as well as gasterias and haworthias--they prefer cool temperature and dry air. I have a number of tropical plants (including adeniums) and they stay in my study which gets pretty toasty when it is sunny outside. I also run a humidifier there since I have to be cultivated in a warm and sunny environment with humidity levels at 50 percent or above lol My seedlings, on the other hand, are in a special chamber.

    Also, my hoya looks irritated, my gardenia died and I am in the process of killing a pot of episcias. So some leafy folks are none too pleased with the whole winter deal at all!

    I'm waiting for 8 more seeds to come out. The wait is killing me,

    Pagan

  • 11 years ago

    Seeds up yet?

  • 11 years ago

    Hm. I have four new seedlings. So my tally so far is 4 of A. arabicum x crispum, all 5 of the A. obesum x
    crispum and 4 of the A. obesum x arabicum and 2 A. arabicum
    hansoti.

    There are now more refugees in this pot--2 lithops seedlings and 2 Neochilenia occulta seedlings. To the left is my first try at germinating non-succulents, this one is heliotrope seeds---nothing happening there at all.

    Pagan

  • 11 years ago

    I honestly dont know how you guys can deal with all the elements and troubles of growing seedlings like this. It must be pure love for adeniums. I cant even fathom those temperatures. You's are a real inspiration.

    AltonAdenium

  • 11 years ago

    In this climate, all you need is a heating pad, fluorescent bulbs, humidifier and Adenium Forum, AltonAdenium. Also, adeniums are actually not difficult. I get dramatically lower germination rates with mesembs.

    Pagan


  • 11 years ago

    I must admit that i have learnt alot more on seed raising from this forum. Due to the climate i have in Australia, all i need to do is soak my seeds and place in a pot, pick a warm position and cover with clear plastic. Way too easy.

  • 11 years ago

    Your seedlings look great Pagan! They seem to be growing fast! I need to post pics of my seedlings. They seem to have germinated well.


    Mark

  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago


    Hi all here are some photos of my seedlings.


    Edit: I tried to post from imgur but could not figure out. Not sure if the pics will come out sideways. If so, it makes it easier to read the label :p


  • 11 years ago

    Mark, those are very happy-looking seedlings! I should try growing my plants sideways too, but, uh, how do you water them? :p

    Pagan

    p.s. I only got two A. arabicum
    hansoti. Must remember to label these things this time.

  • 11 years ago

    They look great, Mark. It will be interesting to see how they grow. Between

    You, Pagan and myself. We can compare notes on how they progress and the many different characteristics that each of them might have?

    Rick

  • 11 years ago

    Thanks Pagan and Rick! I think I still need to sow one more variety.

    Watering is the tricky part, I tried dunking them but that was a mess, so no i just spray with a bottle.

    I'm not sure if I should take them out of the plastic baggie yet. I think for every batch of seedlings I treat them differently.


    Yes, Rick, I think comparing their growth would be cool! Since we are all in different areas. It would be interesting too see.


    Mark

  • 11 years ago

    Hey, I'm in. Great project idea, Rick.
    Mark, I usually take the humidity bag out when the soil starts showing green tinge (fungus). The green stuff does not harm the seedling once they have germinated, as far as I can tell, but I just don't want to have to deal with it. For things that get disturbed when watering, try using a basting syringe (one of my sister's fantastic innovations).

    Pagan


  • 11 years ago

    Not sure when you speak of humidity bag, as to whether it is for germination purposes of aftercare?

    I have only ever used my humidity chamber for germinating and when most seeds up, then remove. Used for grafting also.

    Rick

  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Here are a couple photo's of my seedlings. Tried a different transplanting, into small cells to grow for a bit.

    My tray of Mini-Size seedlings at the back. A mix of red, Sun-up Star & another white w red margins. They took bit of a set back with a spider mite attack. Just coming out of it now.

    I am really enjoying my True Soco seedlings, the look. Pushing them a bit, as they are in full growth now. For them that is.

  • 11 years ago

    Never had this sideways photo's before. Sent from iPad. Thought I would be smart and go back and flip the photo side ways, then insert as it seemed to have a mind of it's own. Notta. Didn't work.

    Rick

  • 11 years ago

    Oh I just meant the plastic I cover germination pots with, Rick. Sometimes I also use ziploc bags for mesemb seeds, since 2-inch pots are small enough to fit in. With adeniums, I let the plastic cover stay on as long as there are seeds that have not germinated. But when the soil starts turning green, I remove it--that's usually after three weeks even with sterilized soil since I keep peeking and checking, in the process introducing contaminants.

  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Hi everyone. I'm back with a seed question. I have a whole tray of O. arabicums mixed that have been planted for 14 days now and not a single one of them has germinated out of 40 seed. Do you recall any adenium taking this long to germinate? Or is it more likely that I have purchased an old batch of seed?


    Tracy

  • 11 years ago

    It is very likely you got a batch of old seeds. I had the same problem with my first attempt sowing A. arabicum. But some of these seeds I sowed this winter are arabicums and they came out within 7 to 10 days.
    Pagan


  • 11 years ago

    It does seem as though the seed was not viable. Be worth a check under the soil, just to see what has happened.

    Rick

  • 11 years ago

    Thanks for the replies. I did check under the soil this morning and it appears they have rotted. The seeds were complete mush. I had soaked them only for 4 hours prior to sowing, just like I do with any Adeniums. I suppose that's the price you pay for buying things on Ebay.


    On a side note, I ordered some Blue Beard Dahlias several months back on Ebay to germinate before spring for my yard. They started blooming this week and they turned out to be Marigolds! Lessons learned the hard way I suppose.

  • 11 years ago

    Thanks guys! I did end up taking the plastic bag off. The algea was growing already. I'm thinking about taking the seedlings outside, so they can get sunshine and air. I think I'll wait another week or two. I still have more seeds to sow! :0


    Hey Rick, your seedlings look super happy! What are those taller plants on the side?


    Mark

  • 11 years ago

    Well, Mark. I decided to get a jump on my veggies and flowers this spring, should say winter I guess. I have about 12 different Heirloom Tomatoes, 4 varieties of Eggplants, Goji Berries, 8 varieties of Peppers, Morning Glories & Hibiscus sabdariffa.

    Just went a bit crazy and starting to pot up tonight.

    Rick

  • 11 years ago

    4 weeks


  • 11 years ago

    They look so good, Pagan. Got really nice size leaves. What are you feeding them "Jungle Juice". So nice.

    Rick

  • 11 years ago

    I haven't even fed them yet, Rick! But they are on a heat pad and the temperature in this box goes up to 30C sometimes. Should I start feeding them, you think? Since they are growing so aggressively, they might start showing signs of nutrient deficiency.

    Pagan

  • 11 years ago

    What ever you are doing, it is workng. I would be tempted to just give a weak solution of a cactus type fertilizer, nothing with high 'N' or stay with what you are doing.

    They look super and staying nice and compact and you do not want then to grow tall. You know what you are doing.

    Rick

  • 11 years ago

    I was going to ask the same thing as Rick! Those look super good, Pagan! Nice and green. They look happy.


    I took my seedlings outside today, hopefully they will grow faster out there. No I have more room to start more seed! :0


    Mark

  • 11 years ago

    Week 7 update, still in the box. I'm watering them every other day now, it's getting irritating. I'll have to make time to pot them up separately. It will be a tangle of roots by now.

    The brown tips on some of the leaves are from actually touching the T5HO bulbs when I raised them a bit. Bad idea, it turned out. I guess very young seedlings are more sensitive.

    Pagan

  • 11 years ago

    Pagan, they are growing so well and I love the deep green color of the leaves.

    Rick

  • 11 years ago

    Those seedlings are looking excellent Pagan! I'm sure they will grow much faster once in a bigger pot.


    My seedlings are still small. :( working on their second set of leaves. I'm thinking I should have left them in a more humid area. I have them outside in semi sun. I will post an update this weekend.


    Mark

  • 11 years ago

    Very nice deep green--my seedlings never got as green as those. You have the magic touch.

    -bong

  • 11 years ago

    Great seedlings everyone! My plants are just starting to put on leaves and slowly come out of dormancy. I cannot wait for the season to start.