Re: Seed Pods
DavidS1812@aol.com wrote:
>
> Gunnar: Earlier this year I put a procedure for handling seed capsules that
> had broken from the bloom stalk. To prove to myself that it was still a
> viable procedure I broke a pod from one stalk and proceeded as follows,
> making certain that you have as much of the stalk from the bottom of the pod
> as possible:
>
> Dissolve one to one & one-half (1 - 1 1/2) teaspoonfuls of sugar in a small
> container (preferably glass so that you can monitor clarity) containing 150
> to 200 ml of tap water so that the level is within 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) from
> the top. Cover the top of the container with a double thickness of aluminium
> foil. Punch a hole in the center of the foil, cut the stalk at the bottom of
> the on a 45 degree angle and place in the hole in the foil so that the stalk
> is well submerged in the sugar solution. Place in a north window and wait for
> nature to take its course.
>
Dave, Gunnar
This sounds a lot like the process I use for cut flowers. I use something like 7 Up or
Squirt instead of just sugar, it adds citric acid which is one of the components of a lot
of the "flower fresh" products. Additionallly, I add a touch of clorox to the water, the
theory being that it helps prevent the development of organisims that might clog the
veins in the stem, and every second or third day I change the water and trim the end to
expose fresh veins. Seems to work really well, I have had many stalks That I picked when
the first bloom opened and have bloomed the second bud in all the sockets. You might have
to limit the number of times you trim the stalk, depending on how long it is to start
with.
--
John | "There be dragons here"
| Annotation used by ancient cartographers
| to indicate the edge of the known world.
Fax: | (510) 794-6887
John Jones, jijones@ix.netcom.com
Fremont CA, USDA zone 8 (coastal, bay)
