Growing from seeds...

I have looked at getting some seeds from Exotic Seeds, and it said they should be germinated in a nutrient gel/agar of some sort. Can anybody tell me what this is, where I can get some, or how I can make my own? The plants I want to grow, for starters, are Pachypodium lamerei and Ceiba (?) especiosa(?)...not sure of the spelling on that last one.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agar

Sorry have to do it. Can't help myself. http://i27.tinypic.com/2jz3ab.gif

I've started Ceiba speciosa in regular seed starting mix so for that one at least you don't need agar.

As far as Pachypodium lamerei poting soil will do. General rules on palms, I haven't tried that one.
Seeds need to be fresh.
Fruit needs to be removed.
They need to be germinated in a warm, shaded, humid enviroment.
The ones I tried needed to be sowed right on the surface with the seed exposed on top. In the case of Pachypodium lamerei I have no idea.


Hope that helps.

This is useful but I don't think your seeds are in here.
http://tomclothier.hort.net/page02.html#C

Okay, consider me a total novice here. ecrane3, what is considered regular seed starting mix? I have planted things before, but usually for my own amusement when it didn't matter wether they survived or not. This time, however, I'm trying to keep the variety active in the college greenhouse where I work. It is thus rather important that whatever I try works, so forgive me if I ask seemingly dumb, or repetative questions.