Re: Growing Anthurium from seeds
- Subject: Re: Growing Anthurium from seeds
- From: &* A* <e*@hawaii.rr.com>
- Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2009 07:45:46 -1000
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Now that I have a little time let me give a brief
instruction to how I grow my Anthuriums from seed for anyone out there who also
might be interested in do so.
I have never been disappointed with this method and
have extremely good luck getting my seedlings up and eventually into pots, no
matter which species I have tried.
First thing is you will want to remove the capsule
from the seed. If the capsule is left on, this can produce mold. The
capsule will also slow down the germination process.
I like to squeeze the capsule into a cup of water,
so the seed sink and anything else floats and can be removed.
Also, if you don't intend on planting immediately
you can leave the seeds submerged in the water to retain their freshness for a
period of time.
The next thing I do is I get a clear container
with a snap top lid. I like to use the plastic boxes that some salads come
in, but any similar type container will work.
I poke a few hole in the bottom to drain any excess
moisture. I use the tip of a hot glue gun to melt the hole through, but
anyway to poke a hole to allow some drainage will take care of this
function.
Then for my medium I use New Zealand sphagnum
moss. I chop this moss up very fine so it is no longer long and fibrous,
but soft and fluffy. Use scissors or a blender to perform this
step.
I feel this type of 'bog' sphagnum is part of the
key to my success as it is nature's original Neosporin and wards off any
bacteria and fungus from developing.
To this fine and fluffy moss I add some 'small' (#1
grade) sponge rock (perolite) and also some agricultural or hardwood
charcoal broken into fine pieces. Do NOT use charcoal briquettes.
You can also use aquarium charcoal.
You don't need very much only a slight scattering
to the other two ingredients. So the mix would be something like 3 parts
moss, 1 part sponge rock (perolite), and a good peppering of
charcoal.
Mix this together and fill the clear plastic
container 1/3 full, then pat the medium down slightly to make a bed.
After the container is filled, I slightly moisten the top of the medium down
with good water. Use bottled water if your water is poor quality or
salty. This will keep the seeds from going below the surface of the
medium.
Next I pour off the top water that the seeds are
resting in to remove any foreign particles and add fresh bottled water to
re-submerge the seeds.
Then I scoop out the seeds with some of the water,
using a spoon or scooper and place the seed on the surface of the medium.
It is very important not to bury the seeds, but
only let them lay on the top of the moss exposed. Remember, do not bury or
cover the seeds at all!
You can also pour off the majority of the water in
the holding container and then pour the seeds out on to the medium
surface. Just be careful not to pour too rapidly or the seeds will all end
up in a pile, and the excess water will make a well in the moss, sometimes
placing the seeds below the medium surface.
Next, place the snap top lid over the container and
place the container in a warm shady place. Do not place in the sun, but
give it light.
I do not think a greenhouse is necessary, because
the container it's self becomes it's own growing environment.
After a few days you will notice the seeds
beginning to turn green and plump up. Soon after you will see the tap root
develop, and then your on you way.
In no time the first leaf will emerge.
At this point I move the contain to a slightly brighter spot, but still keeping
it away from any sun.
Once the seedlings reach the top of the container I
removed the snap top lid slightly to acclimate the seedlings, then a few days
later remove them and pot them into a small pot.
For their first planting I use this same medium,
but I add another part of the sponge rock and one part of seedling bark the
orchid grower's use.
I hope this quick run down helps any and all who
enjoy propagating.
Windy
I will post some pictures for you to
see.
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