Rosina,

Alegria!!!!

Fred

It's really simple, you set the temperature between 20-30 Celsius and the seeds germinate.

Hi Rosina,

Are you using an aquarium heater and how deep is the water?

Fred

Yes. 7 cm.

I am using bottled water because our tap water has too many minerals and a layer was forming on the glass and the seeds. But I don't think such a pure water is good for plants, (or humans) I know that orchids dye slowly if you water them with bottled water. So, as soon as I get them in soil I am going to start to use our tap water.

I rarely use tap water for anything, instead I have several rain barrels around the house to collect rain water. I have been using rain water for many years and the plants seem to like it.

Plants seem to love rain water.....this fish tank is very convenient, the rest of the house could be cold but the temperature for the seeds would always stay warm. I am going to try to find some boxes or compartments, so the seeds could be separated.....maybe a fish net breeder, or maybe I can make one myself.

Hi Rosina,

Your system looks like it will work for you but for me it would be just too much trouble. What is the cross of your seeds and why are you germinating so many of one variety?

I am currently soaking about 18 seeds (papilio x mandonii) I bought from HappySnow (always great seeds) from Ebay and all of them are germinating. Just tap water.. changed every 5 days or so. My mistake is that I soaked them all, I should have refrigerated half of them in case of a disaster.

My own pollination attempts this season have to date, yielded nothing so I caved and bought these so I'd have some polliwogs to watch.☺☺

Here they are, the old fashioned way...

My crosses are boring, sovereign self and a striped salmon with cream x sovereign, I am germinating all of them because I have lots of space and lots of friends.....about pollination...I was thinking if also temperature had anything to do, I've been trying to pollinate my striped salmon with a double and I don't think I have succeeded. I moved the plant to a sunny window now, let's see if it gets inspired. Or maybe I should get another groom.

Well, I know that in time this season many of us here, myself included, will have extra seeds that we would love to send to you so save some of your space!!☺☺☺Donna

Wow! Is it really possible? It would be like x-mas in May....I'd better get ready, I am going to buy a jacuzzi !

I've sent seeds to France & Australia and Canada so I don't imagine Mexico would be much different. Don't worry, before the season's over you'll probably be offered more seeds than you want!!! I've just got to get some of my crosses to take!! I've got my own fresh papilio pollen so I'll be trying some different crosses this year. Usually, every year I have to beg papilio pollen from others so this year with my own, hopefully they'll be no stopping me Ha Ha....☺☺☺Donna

Donna,

I have frozen and will have fresh papilio pollen so lemme know if you need any. And BTW...keep playing cupid and I may hit you up for some seeds. OMG I thinks I'm outta control...is there any help for us or are we a lost cause? ☺☺☺

Thanks Fred but for now I've got all the pollen from 2 flowers and as a "little dab will do ya" I think I should have some for the freezer for next season too but it's nice to know should I run out that you have some and you're almost right up the street!!! I might even get lucky and one of my other papilios will bloom.

You'll be more than welcomed should I get some interesting seeds. Unfortunately, I had 6 Exotic Star flowers with different donors on each and not even one took☻☻

My papilio hadn't bloomed yet and I probably wouldn't have tried that cross again as I'm still waiting on many seedlings from my very first cross of papilio x Exotic Star to bloom!!