Cyrtanthus seedling problem
J.E. Shields (Thu, 05 May 2005 06:00:55 PDT)

Hi Leo and Rob,

Oh, if we just lived in Tasmania, or even New Zealand!

I use a combination of these two methods. I float Cyrtanthus seeds on
water until they just barely start to sprout a root. Then I stick the
sprouting seeds, root-down, into a layer of sand about 1/2 inch deep on the
surface to the potting mix in my growing container. I get at least some
survival this way.

They do require pampering -- cover the container loosely with a sheet of
plastic or a too-large plastic bag. I set the container in a saucer and
keep some water in the saucer until there is good leaf growth. Then start
to uncover very gradually, and let it dry a bit in between waterings.

Like Leo, I used to try straight floatation, and also got 100%
mortality. With the sand, I get some survival. Planting straight into
potting mix has never given me any germination in Cyrtanthus.

In summer, it is far too hot outdoors most of the time for these young
seedlings to get started. Indoor in winter, under lights, it is too dry.

Regards,
Jim Shields
in central Indiana (USA)

At 04:53 PM 5/5/2005 +1000, you wrote:

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Jim Shields USDA Zone 5 Shields Gardens, Ltd.
P.O. Box 92 WWW: http://www.shieldsgardens.com/
Westfield, Indiana 46074, USA
Tel. ++1-317-867-3344 or toll-free 1-866-449-3344 in USA