This Years Test Results and Extra Tips

This year we conducted 200 test sowings amounting to 1/5th of our species overall and almost of 1/3rd of those species we test ourselves rather than just relying on the certification from the wholesaler/collector/grower.

As a result of these tests we have found that all of our cacti and succulent species continue to show excellent viability.  We also tested all Acacia, Cassia, Delonix and Erythrina species again with very good results.

Cacti and Succulents

We didn't use the ziploc bag method this time, instead we went for the covered tray.  Each batch was sown in a 7cm square pot of finely sieved (3mm) compost with a 25% addition of perlite to lighten up the mix.  The pots were watered before sowing and no chemical fungicides were used.  The seeds were all surface sown, then mist sprayed to settle in.  The pots then went in seed tray (15 per tray) and had a domed cover put over the top.  The whole thing then went on a heat mat giving a 10 Centigrade (18 F) lift over the ambient temperature this being in a greenhouse with a minimum temperature of 7.5 Deg C.  Placed on the 2nd shelf of the staging, underneath the main layer, this gave the perfect amount of bright filtered light (around 40% of what was available).  This mimics the ideal conditions where these seeds germinate in long grass or under shrubs.  Temperatures on the mat varied from 17.5C to 37.5 C depending on the temperature in the greenhouse.   1st seedlings showed after 3 days, last ones after 6 weeks (for cacti) and 10 weeks (succulents).  Percentages varied from 80% to 100% which, as ever, was species and age dependent.   Anything with less than 50% we planned to withdraw from sale, happily none fell into this category.

Acacias, Cassia, Delonix, Erythinas

These had a different treatment to the one we normally use.  Instead of boiling water we mechanically abraded every single seed used and then soaked them in tepid water until they swelled to at least twice the orginal size.  We then sowed them as per the cacti - the only difference being 50% were put in bags the other 50% in trays as per cacti.  Germination was even and good across the board and we saw 60 - 100% in every tested species.  Where we noted a difference was in after care, those in the bags fared less well than those in the covered trays once they were exposed to fresh air - conclusion the bag method produces a more even germination but a less robust seedling - we recommend that the covered method is used UNLESS you have time to check every day and get any seedlings out in to the fresh air immediately they show the first leaves.

Growing Baobab Seeds from Seed

Baobab Seeds

Generally these seeds need no pre-treatment, other than to clean the flesh off of the seeds – which has been done for you.  A long soak in warm water has been shown to speed things up, but only if this is for 3 days and the water is changed every 12 hours.

Sow the seeds in a moist, good quality gritty compost and seal in a polythene bag or place in a propagator. Keep them in a light place at a temperature of 18 – 28 Deg C. The soil must never be soaking wet.
The seeds can be slow and erratic in germination, although this may begin after as little as 10 to 14 days (but can take many months 4 - 16 weeks or more with a median we have found to be 3 months).  

 

Once true leaves have been produced, the seedlings can be potted up into deep pots. The use of deep pots is important as the seedlings quickly develop a partially buried caudex and a long tap root.

Initial growth is fast, although subsequently this will slow down. 

Keep warm throughout the year as the plants will not tolerate frost.  Restricting the pot size and growing lean and mean (little fertiliser and water only when dry)  will produce a natural Bonsai. 

Important note:  Baobab seed will remain viable for as long as 100 years, however, the fresher the seed when sown, the faster the germination will occur.  This seed is from the latest available harvest and it would be best if it were sown within the next 5 years as this will ensure the best possible germination speed.