Gessie seedlings--boy, are they tiny!!!

19 years ago

Well, I planted approximately 12 of the mixed gesneriad seed I received with my welcome packet from the AGGS, and I've got eight teensy tiny baby seedlings. Every so often I find another one clinging to the side of the little plastic greenhouse tray I've started them in, and so I carefully move it over to a peat pellet. There's one that's almost a month old now, and has several sets of true leaves, but isn't even 1/8" tall. It's amazing. I haven't posted pics because I've run out of time lately (something to do with young children, a yard sorely in need of care, dishes, laundry, an infant, meals, grocery shopping . . . need I go on? lol)

Just starting these babies alone is worth joining the AGGS! Now, I just wonder when they'll have a convention somewhere in my neck of the woods . . .

Grow on!

Andalee

Comments (3)

larry_b
19 years ago
Andalee,

Yes, they sure are small. I have some micro mini sinningias and some chirita tamiana seedlings that are about two weeks old and it is incredible how small they are. In a way, though, it's not surprising considering how small the seeds are. They are as small as dust and if one is not careful a deep breath could blow them all away, as you probably already know.

Several years ago I grew African violets from seed and those seeds and seedlings were just as tiny. It seems to be a trait of all gesnariads that the seeds and seedlings are so small.

I'm glad that you are enjoying growing your gesnariads. It is a lot of fun isn't it?

Larry
andalee
Original Author
19 years ago
Well, the babies are suddenly taking off. The bigger ones that mostly sat for almost a month are now beginning to look like actual plants, instead of just little bits of green on the peat. It looks like I've definitely got one streptocarpus-looking seedling, with long leaves like a strep, and one other baby that's growing in a rosette form. The others are just adding sets of opposing leaves, and don't have more than three sets. I'm very interested to find out just what it is that I've started. :o)

I think one of the things I like the most about growing gesnariads is that they don't take up a lot of space. (At least not for quite some time.) I'm looking forward, though, to each of these tiny things maturing into blooming beauties. My african violets, lone streptocarpus and basket full of streptocarpella have been such rewarding plants, I'm looking forward to adding a few more to the house. I just hope I can keep the touchier varieties alive . . . :o)

Grow on!

Andalee
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komi
19 years ago
You know, they're tiny, but not as tiny as the Heuchera seeds I once started. They didn't do anything for ever.

My AGGS seeds are finally starting to bloom. I added a few pics to my thread in the gallery - I should have another one within a few days.

Happy growing.

Gessie seedlings--boy, are they tiny!!!

Comments (3)

larry_b

andalee
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Gessie seedlings--boy, are they tiny!!!

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larry_b

andaleeOriginal Author

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komi

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andalee
Original Author