regarding D.Intermedia seed

[foxngn]

Hi All,

Just want to know, is growing D.intermedia seed is the same as growing the other species of Drosera, as i been planting the seed of Intermedia for almost 2 months but still there's isn't any visible plant stalk was seen. I was using the same method as i growing the burmanii seed, but even burmanii didn't took so long.

My media is below layer using smash spagnum moss, then the upper layer usiing peat moss, around 70% of the smash spagnum moss, & 30% of peat moss & i use a transparent plastic wrapper wrap around the pot cover, with multiple needle hole.

Do i did anything wrong on the media ?

[shawnintland]

Hi Foxngn,

Interesting because I just did some side-by-side comparisons with a bunch of D. Intermedia 'Great Swamp' and 'Cuba'. In short - the seeds on pure, very finely blended sphagnum moss came up in 6 days, whereas all the ones on peat, peat mix with sand (in any ratio) or peat and perlite have yet to germinate. The ones on chopped sphagnum (Blended in blender) are already forming leaves with tentacles and the beginnings of dew! All were in 2" x 3" x 1"deep clear plastic boxes with no ventilation but opened once a day and misted lightly.

It would be good to hear everybody elses experiences as well. I know I'll be trying more tests without peat.

On the other hand, my platyceriums have never had such high spore germination nor looked better than they do now that I've switched to pure peat moss media for them.

[foxngn]

Originally Posted by shawnintland

Hi Foxngn,

Interesting because I just did some side-by-side comparisons with a bunch of D. Intermedia 'Great Swamp' and 'Cuba'. In short - the seeds on pure, very finely blended sphagnum moss came up in 6 days, whereas all the ones on peat, peat mix with sand (in any ratio) or peat and perlite have yet to germinate. The ones on chopped sphagnum (Blended in blender) are already forming leaves with tentacles and the beginnings of dew! All were in 2" x 3" x 1"deep clear plastic boxes with no ventilation but opened once a day and misted lightly.

It would be good to hear everybody elses experiences as well. I know I'll be trying more tests without peat.

On the other hand, my platyceriums have never had such high spore germination nor looked better than they do now that I've switched to pure peat moss media for them.

oh ya...forgot to tell tat my intermedia is "cuba".

Since you mentioned no ventilation within the plastic box, opened once a day, how long is the period when u opened?
hmm, i think i will take another batch of those seed & try that method

[strath76]

I sowed some Great Swamp seeds that Ben kindly donated to me this year on a 50:50 peat sand mix and they germinated in around a month. They received no special treatment and were simply placed in a tray of water with all my other seeds. This was however towards the begining of spring so the temps were a little low. Maybe this cooler period has helped them germinate.

[shawnintland]

Fox ngn - I just open them long enough to have a look to make sure they are still 'wet' and to mist if not. I'm not necessarily saying this is the 'best' method, only what I've been doing. I started out growing spores of Platyceriums (Staghorn ferns) this way and just continued with the Drosera seeds. I'm still hoping that the seeds on the peat sand mix will germinate but they were planted on Sept. 19 and there's still no sign of life in them. Strath's comment gives me hope! Meanwhile, those on pure sphagnum are 'dewy' leafed already!

[foxngn]

Great !
That's good for you Shawn !
Too bad my temperature here doesn't really drop much, usually will be hot.
I'm going to start using your method on pure spagnum. Hopefully the result will be like yours, if condition allow. hehe

[shawnintland]

They say "a picture speaks a thousand words" so here's a short book;

D. intermedia 'Cuba' planted 9/19 on pure chopped sphagnum;




D. intermedia 'Cuba' planted 9/19 on pure peat;


D. intermedia 'Cuba' planted 9/19 on sand/peat;


Others;
D. intermedia 'Great Swamp' planted July 18 on sand/peat;


D. scorpoides gammae planted 1/2 on Sphagnum, 1/2 on peat/sand mix


Platycerium elephantotsii on pure peat;

[foxngn]

Wow ! that's magnificent ! very healthy growing.

i like your Platycerium elephantotsii, looks like a carpet of java moss when looking at the first picture of it

[shawnintland]

Well, just doing a kind of wild 'guesstimate' I figure there are between 4,000 and 6,000 of them in that little box!... and that's just one out of sixteen Platycerium spore boxes!
I forgot to mention that about half of the D. Intermedia 'Great Swamp" seedlings have already been transplanted out of that box.

[foxngn]

OMG !

btw...im already try adding another batch of seed using that method.
But i'm try to change the media become bottom layer is some wet peat moss, then top layer is those chopped wet spagnum moss.
Is it ok for me not to open the container if is don't have any ventilation, but inside is having condensation condition ? do i still need to mist the substrate in that condition?