Can anyone give me some advice on how to get these seeds to germinate? I have them in a seed starting tray with high humidity. Do they need and pre-treatment?
TACCA integrifolia seed germination
I imagine they would be similar to the Tacca chantrieri seeds that I've been working with. I used bottom heat (top of the cable/DVR box) at around the high 70's/low 80's for 2-3 months. Nothing happened until I took them away from the heat & put them in a window sill (at least 20 deg F cooler at night), still in their mini-greenhouse. They all popped up right after I did that, both times I tried it.
I suspect they might be triggered by a lowering change in temperature. I also strongly suspect that they are very affected by the freshness of the seed. I've never gotten dry seeds from a packet to germinate, only when I planted them right out of a ripe, split-open pod.
Good growing.
- Tom
And they are very very slow! I started mine in the early spring and they are only 3 cm tall and have 3 leaves each! I still have them covered by a dome to maintain the humidity.
Thanks! I have been getting dry seed. I assume their in some dind of dormant state. I think I'll try a little scarification with sulfuric acid and some Gibberellic Acid I just bought. Still waiting for the shipment of Gibberellic Acid to come in!
Hey Janina; I used "Cape Seed Primer"(smoke papers)which is actually for Protea's but it did speed up the germination.They sprouted within 4-5 weeks in the greenhouse.I also used this technique on Green Bird vine and Boojum trees.the Boojums sprouted within a week.This place carries the Primer,it looks expensive but its the cheapest price I have ever found.
www.rancidsawdust.com/index.html this hyperlink doesn't work.I think because its not in the Watchdog,however if you do a search for www.rancidsawdust.com Go figure, this one works.
Ouch! That is expensive. Thank you for the advice though. Do you think using potash would be a good substitute?
Although I have never used this on Tacca,I would suggest soaking in warm water with a tablespoon of H.Peroxide mixed in.(overnight).I use this on pepper seeds and other tropicals.
Rancid Sawdust is in the Watchdog here: http://davesgarden.com/products/gwd/c/2278