Hello, welcome and.........yes we are very nice here!

Would be good if you can add some location info after your user name like most do, helps when asking ?? and also reminds us where you are...as some can forget!

Have you read up on sowing the seeds, soaking them for two hours max etc etc? If not, shout and we will tell :-)

Have you any heat and light sources or are you relying on general house warmth and window light......like I do here in the less than tropical UK?

Gill

Hi Gill thank you for the welcome and information I have updated my info and included area and growing zone to my user name. I will be starting the seeds on light stands I used to grow my african violets on. I plan to keep in the house so it will be warm also I will use bottom heat and plastic covers to keep the humidity up.

Sounds like a good plan to me. The seedlings tend to like more moisture to germinate in and also as youngsters, but it can be a bit of a balancing act not to drown them! Perhaps not the ideal time if year to start seeds but with your set up they should be ok.

What kinds have you ordered and from whom? You won't necessarily get what is seen on some sellers sites as they rarely come true from seeds, except in the case of the true hybrids from top sellers that some if the growers on here use, such as Rinoa and Mr Ko for example.

I'm sure you will be able to get your plants to flower in the near future given your zone. Your growing season will be much longer and sunnier than mine I would imagine.... only 8 hrs daylight during the cooler months and we have had -17f temps a few years ago! Some growers can get them to that crucial stage within their first year, that is extremely good progress, most should flower within two years I would say. Here in the UK mine took 5 years to form buds but they never opened that year, nor in year 6 or 7, but this season two plants have opened their flowers. It was mainly a problem I had with my fertilisers, that's now sorted and my plants are thriving.

It would be good if you post when you plant the seeds, then any extra tips/info can be discussed. Watch they don't get too hot in the closed boxes or whatever as its amazing how hot and steamy things can get in there....I'm famous for boiling seeds to death on more than one occasion!

Gill

Hey John, just a word of caution. Adeniums really do need bright light and warm temps in order to grow. As we are heading into winter, good artificial light is going to be a must. What kind of lights are you using for your Violets?

As for my winter set up, everything I can fit on the table next to the south facing window is there. Everything else is in a grow tent with a high powered LED light. Last year I planted some seeds in November, and by March they were already trying to break free of the aquarium they were in. 10-12 inches of growth in just a few months is not uncommon for Adeniums. If you give them the right conditions, they will explode in growth.

This year I doubled down and bought a nice sized grow tent on eBay. It was about $50, which I think is a steal. It's 4' x 5' x 2' and will provide ample room for my Adeniums this winter.

I ordered a mix group of seeds from best_plumeria I thought I would get a mix and just see what happens. I know this is not the best time of year to be starting but thought I would see what happens and observe there growth and plant more in the spring. I may as well ask seems to me I read to plant the seeds asap but if I choose to hold some of the seed back will they still grow in the spring? As far as lighting goes I have a 4 shelf with 4 florescent bulbs on each level I can raise and lower the light so thought I would start with the bulbs closer to the plants and raise as they grow to try and keep the plants compact.

It will be fun to see how it goes also good to hear they may do ok in my area in the summer outside.

Thanks for your suggestions, John

Adenium seeds should keep decently well. I had some gifted to me by another member of this forum. They were about a year old when I finally got around to planting them and I had 100% germination.

Hi John & welcome to a new fun project - it sounds like you have a good set-up for your first batch of DR seeds. Last year in this time I couldn't wait to start my assorted seeds from Florida and went ahead and sowed them anyway. I had very low expectations and no experience growing tropicals from seed - violated the cardinal rule of not starting any plants, taking cuttings, fertilizing, etc. between autumn equinox and winter solstice. I wound up with 20+ hefty obesums, all from a T-5 tabletop grow light with an old, non-horticultural heating pad under the seedlings. My only concern would be for damping-off, esp. if you keep them under plastic wrap or domes in a closed environment. I water with chamomile tea solution during the first month or so - seems to protect against fungus. Enjoy and show us your seedlings when they sprout!

Welcome John, lots of knowledge, and helpfull people on here!:)

Warm welcome John:) I'm also in that crazy 8b zone with extreme temps flactuations between days and nights, trying to figure out how to overwinter my seedlings and yearlings. This is the best forum I found, very knowledgeable and friendly people here :)