First... How do I peel a seed??
Is it better to start them in a soiless mix or something equivelent to rockwool? (I have florist wet foam)
Will bottom heat make them molder?
How do I prevent mold? I can't even grow my datura seeds I harvested!
Any other tips! And any sources of seeds I can buy from?
Thanks!
Starting Brug Seed
CaptMicha, I am not as experienced as most of the brug growers here, but I'll tell you what worked for me. I soaked the seeds, maybe overnight, I cant remember, then peeled them. and I used sterilized potting mix to start them in, and no bottom heat, no grow lights initially till they germinated, they were on the kitchen counter, and almost every single one germinated. I had a spray bottle that I used to mist it every time I walked by. the trick is to never let it dry out as I am sure you know. I used one of those starting trays that has the clear dome, a mini greenhouse effect, and also, prop the lid open every so often so that the condensation doesnt built up, and you get good air circulation.
I have read great success stories from people on this forum using rock wool.
Good luck, I am sure you will do just fine...
Hey girl, try this thread, it has a lot of good info on rockwool, where to buy it and links on how to use it. It seems most have had success using this method.
Denise
forgot to give the thread
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/426802/
Try peeling them dry. It sure is easier. The smaller kinds of seeds, I just soak and plant. They are just to small for me to peel wet or dry. In fact, I plant most of mine with the cork on. To peel, I just stick my thumbnail into the cork and peel. You will soon figure out how the seed lays in the cork and will be peeling them very quickly. However, if you do a bunch of them, you can expect your nail bed to become a little sore. It is relaxing work.
Someone said to me, when I asked about peeling....open them like a book...with thumb nails...this really helped me!
Also I would disagree with Brugie...my finger tips became very sore after peeling a bunch of them...not a little!!
LOL! I didn't want to scare anyone away from peeling, Margie.
yeah, now that you mention it, I do remember the soreness after peeling...it was a funny feeling, in a place where you would never get anything like that....
Sounds PRETTY easy! I've got another question for ya.
How do I pollinate my brugs? Illustrations would be super!- I don't know what's what part in a flower. I've got maybe 6 plants that are going in the ground this year and I can't wait to try some crosses!
Michele
here are 2 very good pages
http://calastropicals.com/content/page3.html
http://www.americanbrugmansia-daturasociety.org/brugmansia_hybridizing_basics.htm
Dick
This message was edited Feb 4, 2005 11:17 PM
This is also a good site for pollinating instructions....with a video...
http://www.brugmansia.us/pollination.html
CaptMicha, I dont peel seeds. Fresh harvested seeds can be sowed out without soaking. I rinse them in clear water to clean them. Dried seeds are soaked for 48 -72 hrs. The water should be changed every day.
I sterilize the soil in hot water.
I think I'll practice the peeling on my datura seed, they aren't so new so it could help increase my odds. When I'm ready to harvest my own brug seed, hopefully I'll know how to peel and won't goof up.
Thanks Picturelady! The video will really help, I'm the kind of learner where I learn the best by seeing things done.
uhhhhh
datura seeds don't ,or can't get peeled
they don't have that cork coating
you WILL hurt your fingers doing that
or taking them out of the pod
Oh, good thing I didn't start on them yet!