Germinating Bismarckia nobilis in cool subtropical climate
PicoAzores
9 years ago
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stanofh 10a Hayward,Ca S.F. bay area
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Collection and Germination of Scilla madeirensis seeds
Comments (29)I too became quite enamored of this beautiful scilla and found a source. Three purchased bulbs produced three flowering scapes in the autumn here in southern California. I live in the San Fernando Valley part of Los Angeles, and the days can become pretty hot in July and August (88 to 95 degrees), but nights cool to 65 to 72 degrees. September days and nights begin cooling -- and the Scilla mads respond lustily to this cooler weather. I planted my purchased bulbs not above ground as in Kew's images but with the bulb's noses just above ground (potting soil) level. They have prospered thusly. Since I bought three bulbs, I have presumed they are seedling grown. And when they bloomed, I gently jostled the blooming scapes one against the other. Each scape produced an average of six or seven seed. I kept the plants properly watered until these green seed began to turn yellowish (in June). At that time, I carefully removed each maturing seed and kept it protected inside the house. After at least a month and beginning in July, all seed were harvested, and I soaked them in water overnight. The next day I was able to remove the outer pod material as it had become soft and mushy. Each seed pod had one hard black seed. Since the parent bulbs were quite going dormant for the summer, I planted these seed as if nature had dropped them. Just 1/8 inch deep in a mixture half perlite and half steam-sterilized humus was my choice of potting soil. I planted a crop of about 25 seed into one large (two gallon) shallow but wide pot. After planting and watering the seed, I stretched shrink-wrap over the pot so as to keep the planting medium -- and seed -- gently moist but not wet. I think every seed came up over a span of several weeks and appeared healthy. Here in southern California the winters are usually mild with the coldest nights at about 37 to 39 degrees. I babied these seedlings through the winter (bringing the pot inside for the night) and they have grown "great guns". Now, in early July 2021, the pot is exploding with healthy semi-mature leaves and have filled the pot as much as can be imagined. I am keeping it in dappled shade for the morning and full shade against the afternoon sun. It is now too late to divide this cram-packed pot, so I'll have to baby it through the 2021-2022 winter. When these seedlings go dormant next June or July, I will divide them and give them each a proper home. Note regarding my purchased bubs: I noticed that where the leaves had emerged from the bulbs, several leaves harbored populations of mealy bugs. I sprayed immediately, and it looks as if I have eradicated the infestation. A word to the wise: keep an eye out for mealy bugs on your bulbs! As for fertilizer, the Los Angeles city water is slightly alkaline. Consequently, I add a wee bit of acid fertilizer to the water every time watering seems required. I kept the parent bulbs as well as the babies gently watered but do not ever allow water to accumulate in the soil; the planting medium plus the active roots keep the soil more on the dry side rather than water-logged. If things continue to develop so well, then in the summer of 2022 I will plant these seedlings into the yard in a semi-protected spot and see how they do. Fingers crossed that in another year or two I should have a forest of blooms to rival the images of Kew's beautiful plants. Hope the above information may give you the impetus to grow your bulbs with perfect results. Phil...See MoreHAVE: Corydalis nobilis seeds
Comments (8)I'm out of seed. You guys are too enthusiastic. Germination: sow the seed, then give a couple of months of warmth, followed by several months of cold. They will start germinating next Spring. Some of them will germinate the second Spring. They are not an easy plant to grow from seed. After they germinate, they will grow for a while and then go dormant. They like a dryish summer dormancy, sort of like tulips. If you water them to keep them going, you could kill them. I would plant them where they get morning sun, and afternoon shade. In a cool climate, more sun would be OK....See MoreAnyone growing Bismarckia nobilis here in AZ?
Comments (23)I wasted my money on 157 Bismarckia palms.... That is 2 x 4 footers and 155 seeds. Tried one, took a great care of it, but no matter what I did it slowly died. Then tried another 4 footer, and it slowly turned brown in the ground over a 3 month period. Only central spear remains, all brown, but it's not pulling out yet. The 150+ seeds planted professionally in environmentally friendly pots, well taken care of, not a single germination so far although I've read many people get them germinated in a few days to a month, but some up to 3 months, so we will see. Yet if you don't have money to waste, I wouldn't. Just like the dinosaur pine Wollemia nobilis, tried and all died. Be careful when purchasing Bismarckia palms, you may be wasting your money on them....See MorePlanting Tips For Cool-Season Crops
Comments (15)jcheckers - Thanks for bumping this thread. Dawn, great info - it could not come at a better time. I have a couple of questions and some info to share. I've been sowing seed for spring broccoli, kale, Chinese cabbage, mustard spinach, lettuce, etc. and preparing beds for onion plants and potatoes. Most of the spring broccoli crop will be Piricicaba (thanks for the recommendation). I just harvested the last of the fall-planted broccoli - the plants were ratty looking and windburned (I forgot to replace the row cover) but most were still making small buds. I read that Piricicaba was developed to provide edible leaves. I was curious about this so did a taste test of Piricicaba leaves v. leaves of Superdome, Windsor, and Premium Crop. Piricicaba leaves were tasty and very tender. Leaves of the other broccoli varieties were very tough. Piricicaba has another benefit - lots of edible leaves - in addition to being heat tolerant. I used the last leaves and heads in a Thai stir-fry. Very good!. I picked up 10# bags of red, yellow, and russet organic potatoes at a Whole Foods. Most have small sprouts. I put the potatoes on trays next to a glass door so they get lots of light. Then I recalled someone saying that they had Irish potatoes in a closet. Someone else said sunlight will turn potatoes green. Should I put the potatoes in darkness or light to sprout? Is sun pouring through a glass door too much light? Has anyone grown Komatsuna (AKA Mustard spinach). Farmerdill gives it high marks so I decided to try it this year. Regular spinach doesn't grow well here so I've given up on it. I'd like to find more good greens for spring. I've been looking at Evergreen Seeds (link below) They say "Komatsu is a fast-growing vegetable and is ready for harvest 35 days after sowing in warm climates. Plants can be grown all year round in temperate and subtropical areas." Sounds too good to be true! Does anyone have experience growing Chinese cabbage (Bok choi, pak choi)? If yes, did you grow them in the spring or fall? Recommended varieties? Many thanks! Pam Here is a link that might be useful: Evergreen Seeds - vegetables...See Morestanofh 10a Hayward,Ca S.F. bay area
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stanofh 10a Hayward,Ca S.F. bay area