Germinating Gesneriad Seeds

[solay]

I was lucky enough to get some gesneraid seeds from Markclkk a few weeks ago and was waiting for the Chitosan I ordered to be delivered. He said it helps with the germination of the seeds.
Here is what I did. I wasn't sure if I was suppose to sprinkle the Chitosan on or dissolve in water. I decided to dissolve it and soak the cut up sphag. moss in it. Then I layered the wet moss over some fine potting mix and sprinkled a few of the teeny tiny seeds on to the moss. It's now covered and in the GH.
Now I'm just crossing my fingers something will sprout out soon. Oh, and I also put some papaya seeds in one section to see if that'll grow. Not sure what I'll do if they do. No room for papaya trees in the GH. LOL!!!

[markclkk]

Cindy, it is hard to over water the seedling. So, you can have the moss soaking wet all the time while waiting for it to sprout. It would do better if you press down the seeds with your finger too. I suppose that is to help rehydrate the dried seeds.

With hot climate like singapore, it takes about 7 days to sprout. Colder climate takes longer.

Other method:

[Greenhouse Gal]

Aww. Such nice little seedlings. I just recently started some Gesneriad seeds too. Since mine are a mixed batch of sp., some have first true leaves and some are still just showing green with maybe more to come. I am very glad to hear that it is hard to over water at this stage, I have been a little worried about that.
I started mine sprinkled over a damp peat mix and misted in, inside a plastic clam shell container that has a few small holes in the lid and is not closed tight and placed in a bright place with no direct sun. So far so good.

[solay]

Hi Markclkk. Thank you for the seeds again. Hope I did it right. I sprayed them down again today to keep them extra damp. 7 days is quick! Can't wait. Those seedlings sure are tiny.
Also I'm trying a little experiment by spraying some with the worm tea, companion, and essential I got from Jerry.
Here's another pic. of them under the cover.

[patticake]

Way to go, Solay! Picture??? What type of gesneriad are they?

[solay]

Ooops. Forgot the pic. Here it is. Not sure the types. I was sent 4 different kinds.

[patticake]

Lol!! It will be exciting to see what you have. It looks like the greenhouse is really coming along.

[markclkk]

Originally Posted by Greenhouse Gal

Aww. Such nice little seedlings. I just recently started some Gesneriad seeds too. Since mine are a mixed batch of sp., some have first true leaves and some are still just showing green with maybe more to come. I am very glad to hear that it is hard to over water at this stage, I have been a little worried about that.
I started mine sprinkled over a damp peat mix and misted in, inside a plastic clam shell container that has a few small holes in the lid and is not closed tight and placed in a bright place with no direct sun. So far so good.

Ohhh, Mix seeds best tried with variety method. Episcia and chirita prefer slightly neutral to alkaline media compare to sinningia and african violet. Those Solay is playing with now are sinningia speciosa. Some of them will be scented during certain time of the day when they flower.

During seedling stage, it can take lots of water and full sun (if the weather is not hot). Don't do that after you acclimatize them to normal environment which "bridge shade" is normally recommended.

You have to "repot" the seedling to encourage it grow faster with a tooth pick. Should always plant it deep enough so that the first true leave is just above the soil level.

[markclkk]

Originally Posted by solay

Hi Markclkk. Thank you for the seeds again. Hope I did it right. I sprayed them down again today to keep them extra damp. 7 days is quick! Can't wait. Those seedlings sure are tiny.
Also I'm trying a little experiment by spraying some with the worm tea, companion, and essential I got from Jerry.
Here's another pic. of them under the cover.

Hahahaha, you really love experiment. Actually these indoor plant don't like organic things. But who knows, may be they will do well with it. So far i tried cleaned bone meal on it too. As long as not over doing, i suppose is Ok. Keep me inform of the result please. Because i also bought some worm cast too

7 days is only in condition similar to mine. The Califonia mini is gloxinia (sinningia speciosa hybrid) It should have small compact plant with combination of red/pink/white color flower.

[solay]

I'll keep you posted for sure. Nothing happening yet. The Calif. mini sounds pretty. Hope it grows. One is a Purple Slipper Gloxi x ? (scented). I'm not sure on the other ones. The names were hard to read. Markclkk, do you know the others are? Thanks.

[markclkk]

Hahahahha my hand writing is terrible. Maybe you can take photo of what i write. See if that brings back any memory.

Califonia mini's flower should be similar to this:



or

[solay]

Oooh. That's very pretty. Now I'll be praying that they make it to blooming size. Don't worry, your writing is still better than my husband's. His is really terrible. Chicken scratch for sure.

I'll take the pics. of the writing and post tomorrow. Thanks.

[solay]

Thanks Patti. I post on My Growing Space #2 with an update on the GH and Cyms. if you want to check it out. Still have room for more orchids in there.

[solay]

Markclkk , here are the bags the seeds came in. Can't quite get all the names.

[markclkk]

Sinningia guttata
Sinningia guttata flowers

70 - should be sinningia "Susan" x self

[solay]

Wow, the Sinningia guttata is beautiful. Love the spots. 'Susan' x self is pretty too. Thanks. I haven't seen anything yet. Will keep checking.

[solay]

Update: Seems just a few are sprouting. I'm hoping there'll be more but who knows. I have about 5 or so that germinated so far.

Funny cause I first started seeing some green shoots but ended up they were some sort of grass and not the seeds. (2nd Pic.)

Now what? How long until I need to transplant?

[markclkk]

Maybe wait till when they have 4 leave or more. During this stage, take care not to have the media dried up.

I think the problem maybe due to lacking of a cover. As the seeds are very tiny. Wind can easily blow them all over.

[solay]

Here's another pic. of the tiny Gesneriad seedlings. Once I saw four leaves I removed some of the moss around them and gently placed them in the peat moss below. So far so good. The other 3 or 4 are still too small yet.

Pic #2 is of the papaya seeds I sowed along with the Gesneriad seeds . They are doing good. Not sure what I'll do once they get big.

[markclkk]

Not sure for the papaya. But the gesneriad seedling sure looks healthy. Depends on your growth environment. You might want to change the media so that it will dryup in about 3days in between watering.

[solay]

OK, I'll do that as soon as I get a chance. Thanks for the advice.

I guess I'll try to grow the papayas as long as I can before I run out of space in the GH. Who knows. Might get a fruit or two.

[solay]

Update: I haven't gotten a chance to move them into their own pots but they are growing good.

[patticake]

I would let them get a little bigger before moving them, anyways. They're doing great! Yay!

[solay]

Here's an update on the gesneriad seedlings. They've grown some. Now should I remove and pot them up separately?
Most of the papaya seedlings got dried up due to the sun. I may have a couple that can be saved but then again I really don't have a place for them to grow.

[patticake]

IMO- I would wait a tad longer... They look great!

[solay]

OK. Thanks Patti.

[solay]

Gesneriad update: They've been re-potted into 4" pots and are growing fast. Not sure how long until blooms but looks like soon! I never grew anything from such tiny seeds. I mean them seeds were like a grain of sand and look at them now. Many didn't make it but some did!

Also the papaya seedlings are doing OK as well. Anyone know how long before a papaya matures?

[patticake]

Fantastic growing!! Yay!

[solay]

Thank you Patti. It was fun to grow. Too bad Markclkk is no longer on the forum lately to see the progress.

[patticake]

Originally Posted by solay

Thank you Patti. It was fun to grow. Too bad Markclkk is no longer on the forum lately to see the progress.

I noticed his absence, too. It makes me sad when geeks disappear. I hope he's ok. Keep us posted on the progress of the little gesneriads! I used to grow african violets from seed. They are tiny, alright!

[solay]

Patti I took a look at the seeds again and they are even smaller than a grain of sand. LOL!!! I noticed buds on a couple of them the other day. Here's a pic. Although the leaves on this one is getting lighter spots. Might be mites.

[patticake]

Buds are cool! Is it a Gloxinia?

[solay]

I think so. I'll have to check the tag on it.

[solay]

Markclkk, I see that you posted recently. I wanted you to see how big the plants have grown since I started them from seed. Here is one of the latest one to bloom. It's beautiful purple. I have one more that is pink that's about to open as well.

[markclkk]

Wow, they had grown a lot ya? From seeds to bloom. Lots of effort but worth it.

[solay]

Thanks. The pink one that's opening now is more red than pink. Will post a picture later.

[patticake]

Congratulations on the blooms! Very nice! It's good to see you again, markclkk!

[Ochin@]

Wow, what great results, it is so gratifying to grow from seed!

[markclkk]

Thank you patti. Neglected my plants for a few month, now slowly get back on track. After that, will start mixing gloxinia variety again.
Only these achimenes is "presentable" now.

[solay]

I had to look up achimenes and what pretty flowers and plants they are. Wow, you have so many growing. Do you sell them or is this just a hobby?

[LouisW]

Wow this is impressive! Its sooo cool to see this from seed to bloom. Its refreshing to see some plants that grow FAST! Not complaining about orchids but next to this they are slow as molasses.

As for the Papaya, im not sure how fast they grow but i do know that they grow to trees and i have seen one about 15 ft tall loaded with about 30 watermelon sized fruits.

[lmartiny]

That is neat. I remember the start of your post. Good job.

[markclkk]

Originally Posted by solay

I had to look up achimenes and what pretty flowers and plants they are. Wow, you have so many growing. Do you sell them or is this just a hobby?

Hahahaha, as decoration. Because my window looks so boring without plant. So i decided to grow one full round of it.

[solay]

I see. I bet your window's going to be gorgeous Markclkk.

Here are more pics. of the ones you sent. I must have accidentally got the seeds mixed cause I got two colors in one pot. I like it though.

I also tried to cross the two colors with a little brush. Just to see if it'll do anything. Never crossed anything before and figured what the heck. Probably won't take but I was wondering if that's how you do it.

[lmartiny]

Nice job Solay. Those grew and bloomed so quickly. I always feel a great sense of accomplishment when I can nurture a seed or cutting. It took 2 years to get a bloom on some dancing girl gingers after they took several months to sprout. I'm going to collect the seeds. Should be quite a few of them.

[solay]

It's funny how time flies. Two years is a long time but is worth the wait. Right?! I don't know what dancing girl ginger is. Is it yellow?

I really never grew many things from seeds before cause I hate waiting. I find that it's really fun and I like it. Maybe it's the older age that has given me the patience.

[lmartiny]

Yes they are yellow. Here is a picture.






I just got the pink one. Will watch for it to seed as well.

[solay]

Very pretty. I like them. Next time I'm in Hawaii I think I'll get some.

[patticake]

Your Gloxinias are beautiful! Congratulations on growing them from seed! In crossing them, you may have gotten pollen from each plant, but it should take, anyways! That would be fun! They look great! Gloxinias go through a dormant-re-growth stage. I'll have to look it up and refresh my memory. I haven't grown these in 30+ years!

[lmartiny]

Solay, I'd be happy to send you some seeds (If allowed by law). Just be prepared to set them aside for many months. Mine didn't sprout until the next season when the bigger ones came up. The tray almost ended up in the "recycle dirt" pot. (I started them in an old annual or sod plug tray)
They stay small, 12-18 inches. which is kind of nice. Compared to the giant shell ginger, which is taking over. Yikes! I've got giant shell ginger out the wazoo if anyone wants a tuber. (if allowed)

[solay]

I'd love to try some seeds. Also what is a shell ginger? I'll look that up. I just have the yellow ginger (don't know the name) but it was growing like mad until I dug them up and put it next to the fence where it doesn't get much shade or water. That seem to have tamed it for now. It's growing much slower.

[solay]

Thanks Patti. One of the flowers wilted and fell off. So not sure if I'll get seeds. Do they develop seeds even if you don't do anything like other plants?

I have a few more in buds but not sure if they are the same kinds or a different color.

[lmartiny]

Gingers favor shade for the most part which is good for us as we have many oak trees.

[markclkk]

Solay, slipper gloxi is easy to cross. The trick is to try 3 days after it fully open when the flower is ready to accept pollen.

[solay]

Thanks. I'm still waiting to see if I did it right.

[markclkk]

A.Cote d'ivoire





A.Serge Fantasy


A.Humberto V



A. Lady in Black


A. Hard to Get


A. White Glory



A. Sweet and Sour

[markclkk]

Part of the "jungle" were trimmed and sent to collect donation for taiwan tornado victim.