Starting a plant from seed

14 years ago

Hey everyone,

I'm attempting my first try at growing Plumerias from seed. I've read on this forum and on the web (Plumeria 101 and Kimi's Plumeria just to name a couple of sites) that there seems to be two common methods. Soaking them between damp paper towels first or just plopping them into soil mix. I went for the later and just put them in perlite/cactus mix. Before I put the seeds in (pointed tip down/wings up), I moistened the soil with water and superthrive. After I planted the seeds, I placed the container on concrete and placed clear plastic over the container to help hold in the heat and moisture (like a little greenhouse). I mist the container twice a day and try not to soak the soil. The weather here has been 82-85 degrees, sunny and dry. Now, I have a few questions. Is this method okay? Should I take the plastic off and just let the sun do its thing? More or less water? How long does it take before the seeds sprout? Everything that I've read makes it seem so easy, so I had to give it a try.

Any suggestions, constructive comments is appreciated.

Happy growing,

Rick

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

chrisar
14 years ago
Rick -
I have been successful and unsuccessful with seed by soaking them in wet paper towel for at least 8 to 12 hours before planting in cactus mix under a grow light. Then I use Spray N Grow misted into the container as many as 3 times a day before and after germination (3 to 21 days, depending on the variety). As far as setting them outside, I wait until I have a seedling about 4+ inches tall then only a little sun later in the day so as not to scorch tender vegetation. I use a plastic cover from the local grocery store - the kind they use to cover cakes and such - works beautifully as a small greenhouse.
Since most experts say not to over water plumies - I have read quite a lot about foliar feeding and this season it has worked out great. I got an 80% germination rate this year. So, it sounds like you and I have very similar approaches to the germinating technique.

Hope this helps you some.

Chris
Arkansas
Nikki
14 years ago
Hi Rick,

I've had much success with soaking the seeds in a container filled with warm water. I use the white styrofoam cups instead of the packing peanuts ( I find that the styrofoam is much more durable than the peanut)
I cut rectangular pieces and poke two holes where I put the two seeds in. Then I just soak them in the warm water under just a regular lamp, takes about 2-3 days for the root tap to emerge...Then I plant them in just regular drinking cups. I should see some growth within a week, don't put them in direct sunlight, they will burn..I have lost a few doing that. 82-83 is good w/ a plastic bag and regular misting...if it gets too hot out you can try putting them by a sunny window...hope that helps..
Related Discussions
Started Zinnias from Seed, I Have a Question. :C(
Q
Comments (3)
Ken, For a variety of reasons your zinnias have gotten off to a rather bad start. You probably started them too soon for what you intended to do. You can set zinnias into deeper soil, and roots can start from buried stems. Their growing conditions must have been very much not to their liking, because I have had indoor zinnias bloom as early as 5 weeks from when I planted them. I grow my zinnias under bright fluorescent lights with at least 16 hours of light per day. Zinnias don't get enough light on a window sill, and not enough day length. I start my zinnias in 3-inch square pots: If they are going to be inside for several weeks, I repot them to 5-inch square pots, and they can bloom in that size of pot. Actually, they can bloom in a 3-inch pot, but that is a rather sad sight of a zinnia being abused. ZM
...See More
what seed can I start now?
Q
Comments (2)
I always use warmth mats & grow lights when I start from seed. Lettuce, onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, etc. They always do well as long as I don't neglect them once I put them outside. My cat has NO problem dragging a rabbit almost as big as he is to the back door. I feel bad for the rabbit, but my garden is happy!
...See More
Starting Plants from Exchange Seeds
Q
Comments (1)
Second Image.
...See More
Starting plants from seeds
Q
Comments (1)
Yes! Put them outside. My suggestion would be to not bother with the terraium at all, with the exception of tropical/subtropical sundews or nepenthes, you didn't say what plants are in the kit. If it's VFT or sarracenia, they are outside plants and I've seen very few people grow them well in a terrarium. Good luck sprouting your seeds!
...See More
greekman
14 years ago
Hi Rick,
any method you will use if the seeds are fresh will germinate.

Personally I use a small face towel soaked very well with water in the half of the towel I put the seeds each next to the other and I cover with the other half.

After 4-7 days seeds start to root, I take each rooted seed and I put it in dry soil I spraying with water and I cover with a film, I make some holes on the film andI let them in my house in warm.
They need hunidity, so I watering only with spraying (not need the soil to be wet)till to have 2-4 true leaves, then I stop spraying and I start to watering the soil ONLY morning time and only when the soil dry out, same time I put them under sun.
John
from Athens
astrl
14 years ago
I followed the Plumeria 101 instructions and mine sprouted just fine. I didn't use plastic to cover... just misted once or twice a day depending on the weather.

Good luck!

Marsha
plumcr8zy
Original Author
14 years ago
Chris,nikkit,John,Marsha,
Thanks for the help. This is a learning process for me, so I'm open to all suggestions. After reading your posts, it sounds like I've got the general idea and I'm on the right track. I'll just have to wait and see if the seeds germinate.

Again, thanks to you all,
Rick
Nikki
14 years ago
Hi Rick,

These are my little babies now, when I have more seeds to germinate I'll make sure to post pictures to show you my process...(I might not make sense in my description :))

Nikki T
plumcr8zy
Original Author
14 years ago
Hi Nikki T,
Thanks for posting the picture. You have quite the family. It's been 1 week since I've planted my seeds and nothing is happening yet. At this point, I would imagine that it's too late for me to try some other method with those seeds, so I have my fingers crossed that some will still sprout.

Take care,
Rick
brighty
14 years ago
Hi Rick,

I planted my seeds about a week ago also. I soaked them in a wet paper towel for 24 hours then planted them in cups with the wings up. Mine however are outside. Looks like we are in the same temperature zone. I'll let you know when mine sprout. Gook luck with your seedlings.

Brighty
plumcr8zy
Original Author
14 years ago
Hi Brighty,
It appears we took different approaches in starting our seeds. Now we can see if there is an advantage starting them one way or the other. I'll let you know if I see them sprouting also. This June Gloom type mornings isn't helping. I'm hoping the afternoon sun and heat is enough.
Best of luck to you,
Rick
brighty
14 years ago
Rick,

If I remember correctly, I put them in the wet paper towel Wednesday night, planted them Thursday night, and set them outside on Friday morning, May 22. Today I noticed several seeds beginning to "pop" out of the soil. That is the first sign that they are rooting. I can even see a green stem emerging in one of them.

Let us know when you see yours "popping!"

Brighty