You can take off the seed pod from plant and keep the seeds. Just make sure there is no wind when taking them, as they will fly away.

Either plant the seeds yourself or gift them to someone interested.

The seeds will not be true to the parent plant, they do not come true to seed. So anything could come from them.

Store the seeds in a envelope for now until you decide and the tuffs at ends can be carefully removed.

Rick

very nice. you might try to start some seeds just to see what they do, in honor of your friend

Thank you, Rick! I didn't know that the seeds don't stay true to the parent plant. Knowing that, I think I will try to propagate some of the seeds. If anyone on this forum would like some seeds, please contact me.

Bragu_DSM, thank you for a great idea!

,

Assuming it was self pollinated (and it may not be) then you could get some like the parent, some are liable to be various shades of pinks, possibly all white, or reds. Yellows, purples or blacks being much less likely though you never know if it may have cross pollinated with something else that could throw a surprise.

I would love a few seeds if you are willing to part with them

Nice idea, Bragu! Yes, Yucca, do plant some in honor of your friend. In fact, you can grow a few and give the seedlings away to friends. Very nice idea!

Just as a quick-start, these should be surface sown flat atop the soil, with just a little layer of soil on top. Since they are super fresh, you don't have to soak them. You can use plastic cups to sow them in ... Just punch holes in the bottom. they can stay there about 2-3 months, depending on how big your specific hybrids are. Mist daily ... Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Provide direct to indirect sunlight. Keep out of downpours, which will uproot the seeds. You should see germination in 4-14 days. Fertilize at 1/4 strength weekly beginning at 1 month of age.

While it's fine to let your adult adenium go dormant during winter (no water, please), seedlings cannot, so plan ahead for overwintering. Growth will slow significantly if optimal temps (80+ degrees) and high lumen lighting are not maintained.

Re: Mailing seeds. Please use a bubble mailer and/or contain in a small hard case. The post office is notorious for crushing adenium seeds ... Flat envelopes go through high speed (crushing) rollers. My local post office informed me they irradiate most envelopes, no matter if marked "seeds" or "live plants." I have received many seeds (about 1/4) that were not viable due to this practice. I don't think this practice takes place within the continental United States, so I recommend keeping your mailings stateside.

Happy growing!

Maria Elena

Maria Elena, thank you for all your help. This is exactly the kind of info I need. I appreciate all your expertise and it helps to have first hand knowledge rather than just looking at various websites. Forgive my ignorance, but what kind of potting mix do you suggest for starting seedlings? Thank you for the post office info. I didn't know that either.

Laurel, I'm also Laurel! Ellie, my friend, was a master gardener and always very generous with her knowledge, time and plants. I think she would be delighted to share seeds with you. Please email me at my business address:

laurel@nandinaorganics.com and we'll arrange to ship.

You can start the seeds in any loose soil, like cactus mix. Mist them daily and never allow the soil to dry out. Younger seedlings are not water phobic.

However, Desert Roses are succulents and like very well draining soil. Otherwise, rot will set in and kill the young trees once they are older than a month. I always recommend removing the soil in which the seed was started and repotting to 2-3" pots (I use tiny yogurt cups) after a month or two, depending on how large the seedling has gotten, to a mix of at least 50% grainy soil and 50% perlite. Water 1-2x weekly during summer and keep in full to semi full sun. The more sun you acclimate your Desert Roses to, the better.

Some use a soil-free "gritty mix" consisting of materials like lava rock, granite, pine bark, etc. There is a lot of information on this site concerning "gritty mix." When going this route, the key is to keep the components of your mix relatively the same size. You must also adjust watering to the substrate you are using.

All the best to you!

Maria Elena

Laurel, please take a look at the last two entries on my below thread. It shows how each seed from the same pod can present different blooms.

http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/3943465/progression-my-first-small-group-of-seedlings#20405733

Thank you so much for taking the time to share all this info. I was hoping a cactus mix was OK. I'm going to plant today. I will keep you posted, if I'm successful. I am in Palm Springs, CA, so desert roses typically do quite well here.

Yes, great temperature for adenums. You will have to bring them in to a 60+ degree garage for the evening when temps drop to overnight low 50s. You can bring them back out every morning to enjoy the beautiful Palm Springs daytime weather and keep them growing throughout Dec/Jan/Feb.

Much success to you! We are all here to root you on, so feel free to share and post frequently.

Maria Elena

Yuccarose, I would love a few seeds if you have any left. LIke you, I did not realize that seeds will not necessarily clone the parent plant. I will be thrilled to see what happens.

Thank you!

Eagleap_gw, please email me at laurel@ nandina organics.com about seeds.

I planted my first batch of 4. I thought I'd try just a few and see how I do.

I actually am hoping for different flower or color.

Hi Laurel...anxious to hear if your seeds have sprouted. Nothing here but it looks like something is happening in 4 of my containers. Hopefully I will find a surprise tomorrow morning. I planted all ten seeds and am watching over the containers like a mother hen. Again, thank you!

Hi Pam, thank YOU for the stamps--Great idea! YES! I'm very excited to report that on the 7th day, all 4 of the seeds I planted are up! Thank you all for your excellent advice. Now I just have to keep the babies going.

Laurel.....finally success! My last 3 seedlings sprouted today. The other 7 sprouted on days 3 and 4 so these 3 a have a bit of catching up to do. Wow...we both reached 100% germination. Now, the hard part begins...keeping these seedlings happy. Take care! Pam

Wow, congratulations! As you say, now we just have to keep them happy...so far, so good,