Seeds and how to germinate them
 

Hi everyone

As most you guys/girl have heard some of us are getting some seeds rite?

So since most of you here has experience with seeds i would like some assistance from you guys.

I have been searching around the web for the last few weeks on how to germinate nepenthes starting from seeds most just say get a medium for neps (which i will be using 100% LFS for the seeds) and then just sprinkle the whisker like seeds all over the pots.

So my questions are 100% LFS as a medium for them usable and also will there be any other special treatments for the seeds before planting them?Do i need to put them in a fridge like people do with sarracenia seeds

Thanks for your kind assistance

Ken

Re: Seeds and how to germinate them
 

Hi Ken,

Sorry but I'm really racing around a lot right now...do a 'search' under the words seedlings/seeds/media/etc., on PetPitcher forum and I know you'll find a few threads discussing this. I know because I've written 2-3 myself and have read others' as well. There's also a thread (on PPf, I think) that will direct you to 3 "Germination Guides" written for Nepenthes. If you still can't find them write again here.

Re: Seeds and how to germinate them
 

Hi Shawn

Thanks for a little info i searched some of the words you gave me and well realised there's nothing much to seeds....okay there's a lot of them lol....

I found out that since i'm gonna use full LFS100% i'm gonna have to chope it so that when i transplant the seedlings the long threads of LFS will not affect the roots of some other seedlings.Also the media MUST be algae free or not the seeds will die and blacken.I never saw any threads started by you in those i searched haha must be somewhere just didn't find it

Ken

Re: Seeds and how to germinate them
 

https://forum.petpitcher.net/images/icons/icon1.gif Re: Seedling update Oct. 9, 08

https://forum.petpitcher.net/images/s...thread_hot.gif N. sanguinea seedlings
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Posted By shawnintland
https://forum.petpitcher.net/images/icons/icon1.gif Re: N. sanguinea seedlings

https://forum.petpitcher.net/images/s...n/post_old.gif 22nd July 2008
shawnintland https://forum.petpitcher.net/images/s...ser_online.gif
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Join Date: Sat Feb 2008
Location: Koh Samui, Thailand
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https://forum.petpitcher.net/images/s...thread_hot.gif N. sanguinea seedlings

Quote:

Hi Ali, I used dry sphagnum, chopped and then misted. I guess they would germinate on 'soil' but it seems like the sphagnum is used more often because it tends to hold and transfer the moisture to the seeds more evenly than 'soil'...at least that's MY guess! It's really important not to let them dry out completely for even an hour or two once they have been hydrated

Whoops, I guess the rest were on the "old" PP forum site! Sorry about that! But I think you have the idea already...the hardest part is just "doing it"! :biggrin: (and remembering to mist them without letting them dry out). Good luck!

Here's 1 or 2 links, not the best ones but what I could remember in short time;
http://www.bestcarnivorousplants.com....htm#Nepenthes

http://www.cpjungle.com/nu101.htm

Re: Seeds and how to germinate them
 

Thanks a lot for the threads Shawn sorry for troubling you ehehehehehehehehe

Ken

Re: Seeds and how to germinate them
 

I've only sucessfully germinated 4 nep seeds( i know i'm lousy.) And all of them die from algae(stupid algae) So now I've made my own seed box. It is made out of a plastic tupperware with holes on the cover and below it. Then, I fill it up with microwaved chopped(actually cut cause I spend half an hou cutting it with scissors) sphagnum moss. I know its simple and lousy-lah. But this time I want to grow it sucessfully without dying. But I notice sundews are a whole lot easier to germinate. All my sundew seeds germinated in a 4-6 weeks. As easy as pie. I just simply pour them over LFS then leave it outside(direct sunlight and rain).

Re: Seeds and how to germinate them
 

Hi Aaron

Lucky for you,you at least have a little experience on seeds unlike me i have none.

I opened this thread to learn from you guys whether you have only germinated 1 seed or a thousand of them everyones equal.So ok im gonna use 100% LFS as a media yah...no prob with it rite??I dunno where to get cocopeat or peat moss so i'll just get LFS from Hee's.........So i guess thanks to you guys i won't be killing all the seeds this time LOl..

If i ever get a sarr or VFT flower i'll jus fertilise the seeds with its own flower i know its not so good but i have no choice hahaha.When you mean plastic container you mean those when you TA PAO those plastic boxes??And you put it out in full sun??I thought they just need good amount of sunlight but no direct sunlight

Ken

Re: Seeds and how to germinate them
 

No-lah . I haven't planted any seeds because I haven't receive them. Yah the container is the microwave-able TA PAO plastic boxes. This current one is for the darlingtonia seeds I'm expecting. I'll make another one when the neps seeds arrive.

Re: Seeds and how to germinate them
 

Hi Aaron

Great idea to use those as a pot for seedlings i only use those as a tray for one of my sarrs which now got fungus on it already because i never washed it hehehehe lazy me.I wonder where is David keeping those seeds rite now....in the freezer????

When i receive my seeds i'll treat them the same as my other older neps just less direct sunlight and also more water.But i'm gonna use a normal pot maybe a bigger one so that i dont need to repot the seedlings........at least not so fast

Ken

Re: Seeds and how to germinate them
 

Hi guys,
I'm planning on sowing my nep seeds on fine coconut husk..it is very finely chopped!
I hope this will be successful!;)

Re: Seeds and how to germinate them
 

Ken, if you run a search on pitcherplants@proboards, you wil find a lot of information on what to use for Nep seeds.

But I'll run off my fingers what I do anyway. :smile:

*Use old media - apparently the microorganisms aid germination. Sure, it tends to form algae faster if you are not careful but by then, you have already gotten your seedlings.

*Algae don't grow for me. I have 7-8 boxes of seeds and none has got algae in them. There is only moss and the occasional prothallus (beginning of a fern). That's because I don't overwater the media. No need to 'cos what you need is a moist environment for the seeds. Not wet.

*If you find a spot where Nep seeds germinate for you, stick to the same area for all future seeds. I told my friend that I have a "magic balcony floor" because I simply put the Nep seeds in boxes and leave them on it. But basically, it just means the temperature and light level is suitable which is why it works.

*Leave them alone other than making sure the media don't dry up...which means looking at them only once a week or once every 2 weeks. :laugh:

Re: Seeds and how to germinate them
 

Those who are new to growing Nep seeds might consider trying two or more different media to determine what works best in their conditions. The most common media are (1) chopped long fibered sphagnum moss; (2) coco peat; and (3) a mix of 50% peat moss and 50% perlite.

Re: Seeds and how to germinate them
 

Have transfered the thread Cindy mentioned across.

https://forum.petpitcher.net/showthre...=5158#post5158

Images are missing though. Have fun.

Re: Seeds and how to germinate them
 

Hi Cindy

I realised that one of my LFS has i think grown algae all over it.Because 70% of the LFS turned green.

Case 1=Didn't use it for 4-5 months after buying

Results=Less/No algae growth on it

Case 2=Used it a few days after buying

Results=Algae growing everywhere

Yeah i have ferns on some of my plants to but i don't really seem to bother them because i'm not sure if it even negatively affects my neps.

Hi JK

Yeah thanks for the info i'll be using LFS i think i'll chop it like you said even though it might take time i wouldn't wanna take chances would I...

Hi Bactrus

Thanks for the link

Ken

Re: Seeds and how to germinate them
 

If i sow the seeds on a tupperwear with 50:50 of sphagum moss and cocopeat and cover it up after sowing.
Can this be done or should i leave it opened.? What i was thinking was my balcony is very windy and might cause dehyrdration to the seeds.

Any advice??

Re: Seeds and how to germinate them
 

Hi Ali

I think areas like ours the humidity will be just fine.Its just that maybe it might be a little drier because well we stay near cities at least for me so its slightly hotter as we learn in geography.But in Ipoh it will be humid enough for the whole time just mist it regularly maybe one in the morning afternoon and nights.Thats what i would do.I don't think we'll need any tupperwares

Ken

Re: Seeds and how to germinate them
 

All my boxes are covered. :smile:

Re: Seeds and how to germinate them
 

How about the air circulation Cindy?

Ken,
I think misting twice a day will be fine..too much water can cause fungus infection.

Re: Seeds and how to germinate them
 

OoOoOo

Thanks i use to water my plants everyday and spray them on the leaves 2-3 times a day.But now i cut down on the watering for about 2 months already but spraying remains the same unless i'm too lazy to spray them.

Ken

Re: Seeds and how to germinate them
 

The ferns will not harm the young seelings, infact they offer the cool, humidity and their roots help opening to maintain a well drain medium.

Here was one of my examples - bical., grown from seeds since July, 2007.

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z...u/DSCN3707.jpg

I cut off some ferns to show the healthy young seedlings.

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z...u/DSCN3710.jpg

Re: Seeds and how to germinate them
 

Hi Robert

Thanks for the pictures of the ferns.Glad to know that ferns don't harm the seedlings or the plant in anyway and even provide some good stuff to my neps.I plucked out a number of ferns already last time i took out they're roots because last time i thought they act like weeds and takes up space from the pot.

The tupperware you grow your seedlings in seems to have so little soil in it.I just bought a few pots for the seedlings so that it'll be ready even after they've grown fully and no need to transplant so early.I'm still waiting for my bical to give its 1st pitcher still growing quite slowly but its catching up already can see the new leaf has formed but hasn't unfold and grown to its full size yet.Okay so now i'll know that ferns will not harm my plants.Thanks Robert

Ken

Re: Seeds and how to germinate them
 

These are what i did:

1.Blend sphagum moss untill small and soft.
2.Let it sit in the rain water for 5 minutes.
3.Microwave them for 3 minutes.
4.Mix cocopeat and the sphagum moss and reheated in the microwave for 1 minute.
5.Close the tupperwear.
6.Poke some holes in the tupperweare that i'll be sowing seeds.(About 8 holes).

Any comment? ;)

Re: Seeds and how to germinate them
 

STRATIFICATION
Leave the seed in the plastic bag you receive it in and place it in the crisper section of the fridge for 6-8 weeks. This simulates the seeds natural environment, where the parent plant drops its seeds during autumn, it remains dormant over winter, and then germinates in spring. After that time, sow the seeds.

Re: Seeds and how to germinate them
 

Re: Seeds and how to germinate them
 

I have insectivirus spray for my hibiscus so can i spray my sowing media with that.
Any advice is appreciated!

Re: Seeds and how to germinate them
 

Ali, your method is almost like mine.

Re: Seeds and how to germinate them
 

Only when I open the box to mist the media to "water" it.

Did you post on the wrong thread? Ken is asking about Nepenthes seeds. :confused:

Re: Seeds and how to germinate them
 

Just for info Cind ;).
Another question, will the fungus and the mold be growing on the media that i've microwaved after sometime?

Thanx!

Re: Seeds and how to germinate them
 

Ali, wrong info here lah! :laugh:

Btw, it is useless to microwave peat. I have done that years ago, only to find that algae/mould grows even faster in sterilised peat. Maybe it is because of our weather, being consistently hot and humid. Imagine my frustrations as a newbie trying to sow some very precious, hard-to-come by seeds and only to have them engulfed by algae/mould.

Another reason possibly is the quality of peat. I used to have Horti peat moss which gives me more problems than Canadian peat moss. The more decomposed the peat is, the faster it breaks down and the sooner algae grows on top.

Re: Seeds and how to germinate them
 

I have this pesticide spray for my hibiscus which is very strong in smell.Can i use it in my media?A dilute solution!

Thanx Cindy!

Re: Seeds and how to germinate them
 

Hi

Thanks everyone

There's no prob with extra infos here ahahahahaa would be glad to know.I don't use anything for any of my neps at all even they're media.All i use is water hahaha and pots hehehe.I wanted to reply a long time ago but dunno why the thread didn't let me its like it was locked

Ken