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Dewy pine

Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 7:18 am
by doku
Does anyone have experience growing the dewy pine? I know its a tough plant to grow, but maybe someone here has grown one. I will be getting seeds soon and just wanted some info from someone that has had experience with it.

Re: Dewy pine

Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 9:04 am
by linton
I sowed 5 seeds a couple of months back and have had 4 germinate so far. They were sown on vermiculite in a plastic "take away food" container and the vermiculite was kept very wet with the water level 1/2 to 1cm below the seed - I kept the container covered to increase humidity and placed it in my greenhouse where the temperature has regularly been down to 5c overnight and up to 36c during the day.
The seed has a tough coating and germination can be helped along if you rub the seed between some sheets of sandpaper to rough up the seed coat, or carefully remove the pointy end of the seed with a sharp blade (being careful not to damage the embryo plant inside of course) then put the seed in pure water for a few days to soak before finally transferring to the vermiculite. My first seed germinated after waiting for a month & a half, and I was beginning to wonder if they would ever sprout!
Once you see the green shoot emerging from the seed, CAREFULLY transplant the seedling to it's final pot - I have used a very free draining sandy / gravelly mix with a little peat in a 5" terracotta pot. Note that you will not be able to re-pot in the future as any root disturbance will likely kill your plant. When the plants get bigger I plan to "double pot" or place this smaller pot inside a bigger pot and surround it with sphagnum. This will allow me to water the sphagnum, and the terracotta pot will act like a wick. This should keep the soil moist but not wet, as Drosophyllum prefer drier, free draining soils and are prone to rot if kept too wet and / or humid.
When you have potted up your seedlings, place the pots in a tray or saucer and water only from below - don't allow the pots to sit in water and only add enough water for the soil mix to absorb. Keep the soil moist until your seedlings have developed 8 leaves then begin to let the soil mix become drier between watering.
Some people think that placing Drosophyllum close to each other can result in stunted, inhibited growth. I have not personally observed this but it's probably best to keep the plants several feet apart anyhow.
Good luck with your seeds.

Re: Dewy pine

Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 6:09 pm
by doku
Nice! That clears up most things. When you say terracotta, do you mean those clay pots that shouldnt be used on the other carnivorous plants? I know the dewy pine likes it more alkaline than the others so i would assume that that's okay. And when you say surrounded by sphagnum, do you mean the medium for the bigger pot? and the smaller pot would have the airy mix? Do you mean Long fiber sphagnum or peat?
Also, when you double pot, is it best to use a larger terracotta pot or plastic? Can the second pot pretty much be anything?

Re: Dewy pine

Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2009 3:12 pm
by lemonlily
Use plastic pots because (terracotta) clay pots, could leach minerals into the soil where you plant is.

Re: Dewy pine

Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2009 3:52 pm
by Aging_Bourbon
lemonlily wrote:Use plastic pots because (terracotta) clay pots, could leach minerals into the soil where you plant is.
Plastic's always safe too use


Allen,

Re: Dewy pine

Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 8:08 am
by Pat
Almost every one who cultivates this plant, including myself, use tarracotta pots, but the choice is up to you.

Re: Dewy pine

Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 10:03 am
by doku
Pat wrote:Almost every one who cultivates this plant, including myself, use tarracotta pots, but the choice is up to you.
Yeah, I sowed some seeds on terracotta pots, but have not seen any germinate yet. What's your method of getting them to germinate, soil, watering, growing conditions and all that good stuff? This one is tough for me. The only way for me to get one is to grow it from seed, seeing as it is difficult to get it shipped.

Re: Dewy pine

Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 12:10 pm
by linton
Rough up the testa (seed coat) between sheets of sandpaper and then soak the seeds in a jar of distilled water for 3-4 days. After this, place the seeds on top of wet vermiculite in a shallow tray and keep the water level just under the seeds - do not bury the seeds! Germination should occur in 3 - 4 weeks. Once the white sprout of the root appears, very carefully transfer the sprouting seeds to their final pots and do not allow compost to dry out. When the seedlings have 8 leaves, gradually decrease the watering and allow compost to become almost dry before watering again. Water from the bottom only - tall pots help to keep the crown of the plant dry and seem to help prevent rot.

Re: Dewy pine

Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 5:09 am
by SDCPs
How about getting the plant to flower and produce seed:


At what age does the plant flower?

Does it self-pollinate?

Are seeds stronger if pollinated from two genetically different specimens?

Approximately how many seeds per stalk does the plant yield?

Thank you for the answers!

Re: Dewy pine

Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 8:08 am
by linton
The dewy pine will usually flower in it's first or second year.

The flowers will self pollinate upon closing, but for better seed set it is best to tease the flower with a toothpick or small brush.

Not sure if the seed produced by genetically different parents would be any stronger - germination of fresh seed is always very good and shelf life of seed from this species is outstanding.

I think ( but am not sure ) a dozen or more seed are produced per flower and many flowers are produced on a stalk.

I'm hoping that mine will flower this year as it's pushing 9" high now and is beginning to develop multiple lateral shoots from the stem.

Re: Dewy pine

Posted: Sun Aug 22, 2010 12:34 am
by SDCPs
Thank you very much Linton!