Well, I tried to cross a white streptocarpus with a blue-ish purple one. I actually have no idea if they crossed properly because the mother plant frequently spontaneously self-pollinates - if it failed, these will just be white streps.
The parents aren't named, so this isn't a *real* hybridizing exercise - just a practice run. And I think the purple influence (in terms of shape and growth habit) would be a good influence on the white - if it comes through.
Anyway, it'll be a little while before they are ripe, but the pods appear to be developing well.
I'm looking for people who can grow some of these out and report back (with pics). Anyone up for trying this?
looking for helpers (hybrid seed)
I'm game. I can find space to grow out a few along with those other seeds you're sending me. But you might prefer to send these seeds to somebody who has actually grown gessies from seed before.
BTW, I'm back in Frederick, so when you have a chance, please send along those seeds that I think you said you stuck in your fridge for me. Thanks!!
I'll give it a try!!
Nanna
oh goody. I also got a dmail from a self-professed gessie-newbie (my words).
In case anyone else is hesitating, I really don't care about your experience with growing gessies, or growing gessies from seed. Just some commitment (will-power and growing space) to try them and report back, is excellent. I suppose it helps if you have some warmth for starting the seeds or they might not sprout til spring, but that's about it.
critter - an envelope went out your way today :-)
I think the seeds are still a ways from ripe, although the pods are twisting already.
Edited to say:
P.S. I think this might be fun - kinda like a group project.
This message was edited Oct 19, 2005 11:11 PM
Yippee! Thanks, Keyring!
My seedling heat mat will accommodate 2 flats, so I should be all set!
And you'll be getting regular reports from me.... what a great disguise for lots of newbie questions, regular reports! LOL
Keyring, If you have extra I'd like to join the group project. Thanks
Yes, Keyring.... I would like to try too. I have the space, comittment, and a camera to share the project!
Sanna
I just harvested the two pods and have several hundred seeds. Any other takers? And if I don't have your address, please dmail me.
forgot to mention that both parents bloomed in about 6 months from seed.
Id love some :)000 WOW Super nice of you . :::::)) Dmail on the way.
It is very good sense to spread around new seeds/cultivars to different people, as you increase the odds of success five fold witheach additional grower. Unfortunately, I am not volunteering as my seed spaces are allocated and filling up fast. Trust me, banana seedlings take up room for a half-flat of something else!
Simply: with a band of folks trying, someone is bound to do it well.
Good luck. I hope you get your own little hybrid, Keyring.
Kenton
sorry for the delay, folks.
These are going out tomorrow. And fyi for anyone who wants info on how I start seeds, the link is here: http://kyi.info/gesneriads/
Oh darn! I missed out on this
Sounds like FUN!
Good luck everyone!
Lorry and anyone else who wants to try - dmail me your address. I have plenty left.
Just sent you a Dmail :)
I am all excited now!
I got your strep seeds today! Thanks!!
I'm going to love getting these seeds started in January.... that's when I start chomping at the bit, wondering if it isn't time to start just a *few* garden seedlings, LOL, so you'll save me from having huge tomato "trees" to plant out on Memorial Day!
got my seeds today, going to give it my BEST shot! Thanks Keyring!
Got my seeds and planted them. Thanks Keyring!! How do you want us to report to you?
Should we start seeing something in about 2 weeks? Do these seeds behave like av seeds?
Nanna
oooh that image is too cute.
"huge tomato trees" - btdt! I am thinking about basil though - basil growing inside. I used to grow it outside but found that I never got to use it - it's dark by the time I get home and I never grabbed a flash light to go out and pick the basil! I think I have enough light inside to grow it now.
Nanna - you planted them already! lol!
I sowed a few last weekend too, so we shall be the first to find out if these seeds are even viable. How about that?
I think 2 - 4 weeks is probably about right for germination. Depends on the seed and the conditions, so....
I just want to hear if they are or are not germinating. And then I'd like to see what the flowers are like :-)
I'm hoping that in a year or two, I will have enough of various genera to hybridize... perhaps I'll try to set seed on episcias next year too... who knows?
This will be great. You will be my mentor. I am trying to keep the seed pods on Irish Iridencense in good health. Your seeds will give me first experience that I can hopefully use with the av seeds.
Thanks again for the new experience.
Nanna
Key, I found this while looking for some info. Can we follow the same basic concept?
http://geocities.com/rachelsreflections/Janet.htm
yes - nice pictures at that site! A few comments though.
I am a REALLY LAZY seed starter. I like to sow my seeds and then basically do nothing for a few months. Most importantly, I hate pricking out all those tiny seeds and potting them up! I MUCH rather prefer to sow them well spaced - it might hurt your eyes, but better just your eyes now than eyes AND hands later.
The Lazy Person's approach to gessie seed-starting takes a bit of care upfront.
- sterilized mix
- careful sowing
- airtight enclosure
These days what I do looks like this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ki/15109200/ Individual baggies for each seed, so mold, damping off etc. does not spread.
I count about 5 seeds for each 2" pot and try to space them out. They can then stay in those pots for a few months without repotting the miniscule babies. I have been known to leave things for 6 months without even checking in on them....
Sterilizing the mix is not really necessary for the strep seeds because they should germinate fast, but... I sterilize all my seed mix now. I bake moist soil-less mix at 250 for 2-3 hrs in the oven. I bake in a big pocket of foil in a baking tray (picked a turkey one up after T-day), or better yet in a baking bag (easier because 3 sides are sealed). Other people microwave small amounts (I think this smells).
The reason for sterilization is to get rid of mold, fern and mushroom spores. The mold stuff (green algae-looking thing) is really painful when you have slow-growing seed because the mold will completely take over.
And, the best thing is that the sterilized mix can be stored for months - doesn't matter if it's damp, just put it in a sealed container.
Oh, and I don't sift the vermiculite.
For the baggies, I have taken another step and am using freezer grade ziploc bags. They hold the air and moisture in better than the standard ones.
On the wetness of the soil, I use about the same as the page you linked. But, I am assured by an extremely experienced seed-starter that if the mix is sterile, it doesn't matter if it's very wet. Never tried it, but he says he starts all his seeds that way.
After I have 2-3 leaves on each plant, I finally open the bag, jostle the soil a bit with a toothpick (this stimulates growth - it's the LAZY equivalent of potting them up), take off the zip lock bag and put them under a humidity dome or in a sweater box where it is still very humid. I might feed them in a couple of weeks... if I remember.
In case you missed it, my basic seed-starting method is here. http://kyi.info/gesneriads/seeds.htm
It's like leaves - once you have it down, it's very very easy.
I Got my seeds today Keyring ! I'm so excited. Thanks bunches, Allison
I got them today!
Thanks so much! I can't wait to see what comes out!
Got my seeds today. Thank you so much!
I am going to be planting them this weekend with luck!
I am putting my new plantstand together and they will go on there :)
With all the lil leafs which will also move to that stand!
I planted my seeds last night
They are now safely nestled on my leaf cutting rack!
I will keep you informed of their progress!
Hi Keyring!! Got my seeds, and will get them planted after the holidays.... I bought myself (early Christmas present) a seed heat mat.... that will be my first project using the new mat! Thanks for sharing..... and I'll keep you and the group up to date!
Sanna
I planted mine today! So wish me luck *fingers crossed*
Good Luck I still need to plant mine !
Congratulations Keyring!!! You are the mother of tiny itty bitty seedlings. I found them this morning at 9:04 am, December 26. I planted them the afternoon of December 14.
You can see them with the naked eye, but they are extremely small. I checked them out in the sunlight with a magnifying glass and there they were. Right now I can see about 10 or more. Each has two leaves and they are about the size of a large pin point. The perlite has turned a little green, but you can see one of the seedlings against the darker peat. It's a little down from the center.
I am excited for you and hoping my av pods produce seeds.
Nanna
This message was edited Dec 26, 2005 9:20 AM
Tried to get a clearer shot. Sorry this one was not close enough.
I will take another picture next week.
This message was edited Dec 26, 2005 9:26 AM
I made a big mistake when I planted. I should have put the soil through a strainer so the particles were smaller.
I will watch every day so they get enough moisture to root well.
edited for spelling
This message was edited Dec 26, 2005 9:29 AM
WOW Nanna their sprouting super fast ! Exciting ! Do you cover them ? Are they under light ? I need to do mine later. This is so wonderful ! Thanks for posting your pictures ! I can't wait to see them again next week ! Allison
The seeds were covered, under lights for 13 hours a day, in a draft free location, and the room temperature stays at about 68 to 70 degrees during the day(drops to about 65 at night)
Thanks thats close to what they will get here. . Thanks for your help !
Hurray, the seedlings are still alive. I haven't killed them yet!!
Congratulations, Nanna! I'm looking forward to seeing them grow... I *think* I can see them in that photo, but I'm not entirely sure, LOL! I will remember your tip about having tiny soil particles on the surface for the seeds to root into easily.
I planted mine this morning. Had to organize my bedroom AV stand first, then I had the neatest little container that had Indian Food in it. A boxed thing I got at Trader Joes.
I'll shoot a photo later and post it a bit later. Have to run to the post office soon to see if my Streps and Chiritas arrived!!
I hope you get your box today ! Mine did not come, I hope it comes tomorrow, it was shipped on Tuesday !