Germinating the seeds
» Your seeds should be planted the day you receive them Getting started -- Rinse the seeds in plain water before planting them. Use small pots or cups with drainage
holes. Use a well-draining soil mix. I use a mix of 1
part
coir fiber Fill the pot with soil and gently push the pointier end of the seed into the surface, leaving the other end of the seed partly exposed. Do not bury the seed completely, since light helps it germinate. Water the soil until it is evenly moist, but not fully saturated. Keep it this moist until the seeds sprout. If you enclose the pot in a plastic container to maintain moisture, leave it open slightly for fresh air to enter. You may need to drip some water over the seeds each day or 2 to keep them moist. The optimal germination temperature is about
75-85° F (24-29°C) during the day, and above 65° at night. I recommend placing a
minimum/maximum thermometer Place the pot in bright, indirect light. An LED or fluorescent bulb kept 4 inches (10 cm) away provides the right amount of light. Protect it from direct sun. The seeds will send down a root at about 6-8 weeks, but sometimes longer. This is followed by a leaf later. Once they sprout, continue giving bright light, with no direct sun. Fertilizing -- The first 3 months, feed every 2 weeks with a small amount of dilute (1/8 strength) liquid fertilizer. Hydroponic fertilizer is ideal for young seedlings, because it is easily absorbed and contains all essential nutrients. After 3 months, you may switch to a granular fertilizer that contains micronutrients, feeding at half the dosage on the package. Or continue feeding every 2 weeks with dilute liquid fertilizer. Tips on growing older plants are here. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. - Jeff Strange Wonderful Things
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to 1 part
(use small- or medium-size perlite, not large chunks). An alternate mix is 2 parts
quality potting soil
to 1 part perlite.
Don't add lime to the mix.
near the pots.