Eucrosia mirabilis
Germinating the seeds
The seeds are fragile, so handle them gently
When to plant -- Plant your seeds immediately for the best germination. Getting started -- These seeds sprout well using the "floating method". To begin, place them in a cup of water, and place it in a spot that will stay between 65 and 80 degrees F (18-27° C). A bit cooler at night is ok. I recommend placing a minimum/maximum thermometer near the cup. Keep the cup in a bright spot. A fluorescent or LED bulb kept a few inches (10 cm) away provides the right amount of lighting. Replace the water every day or 2. They should start sprouting in about 4-6 weeks, and continue for another month. Carefully remove any seeds that have a little white root. Plant them in small pots or cups with drainage holes. Use a very well-draining soil mix, such as half potting soil and half perlite. An alternate mix is 2 parts perlite to 1 part coir fiber. Gently place the seed into the soil until the root is covered, then add water until the soil is evenly moist (but not fully saturated). If the seed is showing, sprinkle a small amount of soil around it. Until the first leaf appears, ensure that the soil surface doesn't dry out. If you enclose the pots in a plastic dome or bag to maintain moisture, leave it open slightly for some fresh air to enter. Continue keeping them in a bright spot at the temperature range mentioned earlier. When the first leaf appears, give a small amount of dilute liquid fertilizer (about 1/8 strength), and repeat about every 10 days. Hydroponic fertilizer is ideal for young seedlings, since it is easily absorbed and complete. When they are 3-4 months old, you may switch to a granular fertilizer if you wish. Once they are 4 months old, you can repot to a larger pot if needed. Transplant gently to avoid damaging the roots. Tips on growing older plants are here.
- Jeff Strange Wonderful Things
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