Sowing Seeds Round 2

Bato367 · Post by **Bato367** » Sat Jan 10, 2015 1:44 pm

So long story short, this is round 2 of trying to grow yuccas from seed. The first time I essentially had the soil too wet and cold to grow anything. Since then I have got better soil and a heated "germination station" that has a vented lid. i will keep updates in this thread in case anyone is a rookie like myself.

Warm winter hike the other day:

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Sat Jan 10, 2015 3:42 pm

That'll do it!
Good luck.

Bato367 · Post by **Bato367** » Sat Jan 10, 2015 3:52 pm

I am following this forums information and hints from the people at the local cacti club who have experience growing these.

I 'sterilized' the soil last night in the oven, including the sand that will cover the seed when I plant them.

Just waiting on my other pack of Joshua seeds then I will plant...

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Sat Jan 10, 2015 8:17 pm

I 'sterilized' the soil last night in the oven

Your wife will want a new oven.
That apparently stinks like crazy.

Bato367 · Post by **Bato367** » Sat Jan 10, 2015 8:24 pm

I read that it could stink but surprisingly it was pretty minimal. I was surprised.

DesertZone · Post by **DesertZone** » Sun Jan 11, 2015 9:40 am

If nothing works, just put some dirt from outside in a pot and place in the south window, wet the soil, barely push the seeds into the soil, keep the soil wet/moist and you should get something soon. Brevifolia seeds are the easiest yuccas seeds I have ever sprouted, and I've grown lots of them. I might have some seed left if yours don't start. I will look around.

Bato367 · Post by **Bato367** » Thu Jan 15, 2015 1:00 pm

Awesome thank you!

Bato367 · Post by **Bato367** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 7:08 am

Now all this rookie needs is some patience and some luck!

I must note the Joshua's are from two different sources and one pack appeared much larger, symmetrical, and generally "healthier". We'll see. The smaller more frail pack of Joshua seeds, I have tried before with no success (albeit I am sure it was my fault). Just thought I would note how different seed sources can vary. We basically have to trust the seed sellers; I don't know of a way to tell a good seed from a bad seed or if it's the wrong seed unless it was blatantly obvious.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 9:14 am

Good work.
I'd lift the plastic dome an inch or two at one corner to let excess moisture escape.
Yuccas don't need a lot of humidity to pop (unlike palms).

Look forward to seeing 'em pop.
Barb

DesertZone · Post by **DesertZone** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 12:56 pm

I agree.

DesertZone · Post by **DesertZone** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 12:57 pm

Sometimes if I can't get seeds to start, I through them around my potted plants, right on top of the soil and forget about them.

janci · Post by **janci** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 1:13 pm

Hello mlobato,I wish you a successful germination

Bato367 · Post by **Bato367** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 3:03 pm

Thanks! There is so much misinformation out there; hard to tell what to do. I appreciate the advice!

Bato367 · Post by **Bato367** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 3:08 pm

In your experiences with yuccas how many days can I expect them to take to germinate?

igor.glukhovtsev · Post by **igor.glukhovtsev** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 6:36 pm

I would say from 7 to 10 days to germinate.

janci · Post by **janci** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 11:36 pm

Hello mlobato, if conditions are ideal germinates at me for two weeks

Bato367 · Post by **Bato367** » Mon Jan 19, 2015 3:54 am

Awesome, thank you.

DesertZone · Post by **DesertZone** » Mon Jan 19, 2015 2:43 pm

Yucca brevifolia, 3-10 to see your first seed to pop.

905palms · Post by **905palms** » Mon Jan 19, 2015 7:08 pm

For some of these Yuccas, do you need to have the seed go through a slight freeze cycle before germination plantings? Many seeds still left on the Y. Filim. stalks, that are left out around here, seems to germinate in the Springtime. I'm curious if the Winter freeze is a necessary part of their cycle...

Bato367 · Post by **Bato367** » Tue Jan 20, 2015 3:24 am

905palms wrote:For some of these Yuccas, do you need to have the seed go through a slight freeze cycle before germination plantings? Many seeds still left on the Y. Filim. stalks, that are left out around here, seems to germinate in the Springtime. I'm curious if the Winter freeze is a necessary part of their cycle...

Personally, I am not sure. Good question though. I am still learning all of this but would like to know the answer. Though, I have read that the freeze/thaw cycle and/or periods of cold assist with branching habits in branching yucca species.

I am sure Barb or Aaron might know?

Bato367 · Post by **Bato367** » Tue Jan 20, 2015 5:57 am

Well 3 of 72 seeds have sprouted. That basically makes me an expert right?😀

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Tue Jan 20, 2015 8:31 am

3 of 72 seeds have sprouted. That basically makes me an expert right?😀

Yup...as long as it doesn't end at 3.

For some of these Yuccas, do you need to have the seed go through a slight freeze cycle before germination plantings? Many seeds still left on the Y. Filim. stalks, that are left out around here, seems to germinate in the Springtime. I'm curious if the Winter freeze is a necessary part of their cycle...

A freeze cycle for seed...mostly for stuff like shrubs / trees?
ie. Stratification. I've got some Trumpet vine seeds in the fridge now, but never did that for the few yuccas I've germinated.

So IMO, no for yuccas.

Barb

Bato367 · Post by **Bato367** » Tue Jan 20, 2015 6:08 pm

...Up to 9 sprouts but whose counting?

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Tue Jan 20, 2015 6:10 pm

You're well on your way.

Bato367 · Post by **Bato367** » Tue Jan 20, 2015 6:17 pm

lucky1 wrote:
You're well on your way.

Fun stuff. Hopefully I can raise them all to healthy starter plants.

Bato367 · Post by **Bato367** » Thu Jan 22, 2015 1:45 pm

One of the sprouts is green while most are white. Is this normal or do they need more light or something? I assume this is perfectly normal; just curious.

The seed tray is in an east-facing semi-bright room.

Okanagan desert-palms · Thu Jan 22, 2015 4:13 pm

Just my 2 cents worth. First off great job. You will have to put a small fan on those seedlings as they will fall over from lack of resistence from outside wind. They will stretch for the sunlight outside. Get a strong grow light with high lumens to slow the stretch. Keep up the good work.

John

Bato367 · Post by **Bato367** » Thu Jan 22, 2015 8:31 pm

Okanagan desert-palms wrote:Just my 2 cents worth. First off great job. Second you will have to put a small fan on those seedlings as they will fall over from lack of resistence from outside wind. They will stretch for light outside. Get a strong grow light with high lumens to slow the stretch. Keep up the good work.

John

Thanks so much. Can you or anyone recommend a cheap but good fluorescent light and fixture?

Okanagan desert-palms · Fri Jan 23, 2015 11:54 am

Some info. http://gardenguides.com/106899-plant-li ... bulbs.html.
http://bhg.com/gardening/houseplants/ca ... ow-lights/

You might want to check your local buy and sell for used grow lights. Hope this helps.

John

Bato367 · Post by **Bato367** » Sat Jan 24, 2015 7:04 am

So I am learning. Hopefully. Anyways here is a perfect example of before the grow light (white spindly Brevifolia seedlings) and after the grow light (compact and green Brevifolia seedlings). The light was just not enough in my southeast facing window. All should be good now. Up to 17 total seedlings and looking like more are soon to sprout (sand is raising).

andym · Post by **andym** » Sat Jan 24, 2015 2:45 pm

Hi Mike.... well done with the germination

I personally don't start germination until February for light reasons and do not have grow lights. I have had reasonable success with the small plastic greenhouses with metal frames. They can warm up quite well but still get cold The seed trays can dry out too but then that's what happens in Nature.

BTW the larger plastic greenhouse to the right was destroyed by a storm last year. The seed greenhouse to the left required a heavy concrete block to stop it being blown over.

Bato367 · Post by **Bato367** » Sat Jan 24, 2015 3:47 pm

Thank you good point! The sun is available in good amounts but the way my house is oriented and a large juniper tree near my best window (and I live in a small canyon draw) the light is not the best. I will note that next time I start a batch of seeds! Thank you.

Awesome greenhouses! Do you mostly grow palms or any cacti/yucca?

Bato367 · Post by **Bato367** » Mon Jan 26, 2015 4:17 am

18 total JT germinated but to be honest only 3 of them look solid; these ones are shooting off their 'blades of grass' and are much more stout and green. The others don't look so hot so I'm not sure if they will survive or what? Have yet to see Rostrata or A. Parryi sprout. However, it's not a total failure though; I don't suppose nature has even a 100% germination rate. The way she goes...

DesertZone · Post by **DesertZone** » Mon Jan 26, 2015 7:20 pm

looks like not enough light, too much damp heat. They need some air would be my guess and some light, just don't let them completely dry out.

Bato367 · Post by **Bato367** » Thu Jan 29, 2015 5:46 pm

Growing. Gave em more air and they have their good T5 light. More are starting to sprout their 'blades' from their seedling sprout. Don't think some of the soil in the inner part of the tray is moist enough; think that's why some of the others haven't sprouted yet. Soil drys out very quickly.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Thu Jan 29, 2015 8:42 pm

There ya go, Mike!
That's the way they're supposed to look.

Nothing looks dry in there to me...you'd be surprised that "dampish" soil is enough moisture for them, especially if you pre-soaked the seeds.

Keep the soil warm.
I'd leave the cover off.
If any cells start to dry out (and they don't look it yet), you can mist that cell with a hand mister.

Barb

Bato367 · Post by **Bato367** » Fri Jan 30, 2015 2:28 pm

lucky1 wrote:There ya go, Mike!
That's the way they're supposed to look.

Nothing looks dry in there to me...you'd be surprised that "dampish" soil is enough moisture for them, especially if you pre-soaked the seeds.

Keep the soil warm.
I'd leave the cover off.
If any cells start to dry out (and they don't look it yet), you can mist that cell with a hand mister.

Barb

Thanks Barb. Ya I took the pic right after I misted them hence the wet look. The perimeter of the tray stays moist as I believe the form of the tray directs water to the perimeter pods. The inner pods dry out quickly. I opened the 3 vents to full max. Ya I definitely don't want to keep them too wet and get the dreaded 'dampening off' or seed rot. The heater is still on heating the tray so it should be as warm as it needs. Thanks for all the advice I appreciate it

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Fri Jan 30, 2015 4:17 pm

A small fan blowing a bit of air across the top (as John had posted earlier) is a good idea.
And waiting...for the others to pop.

Barb

Bato367 · Post by **Bato367** » Fri Jan 30, 2015 5:23 pm

TimMAz6 · Post by **TimMAz6** » Sat Jan 31, 2015 5:33 pm

nice job with the seeds. the seeds with the exposed roots are not growing into the soil. The root continues to grow but the root tip is not growing into the soil. Bury the root into the soil now and it should be fine.

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Sowing Seeds Round 2

Sowing Seeds Round 2

Seeds Planted

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