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Discussions on how to propagate your plants sexually and asexually, by seed, natural division or leaf pulling

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By Jade
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Joined:  Mon Feb 05, 2024 6:57 pm
#453393
Yeah I’ve never done this before, and I have until July 27th to figure it out, but I like to have a plan first and make sure I have any needed items ahead of time.

I saw this thread about sowing drosera (I think) seeds. I thought I bookmarked it, but of course I didn’t. It showed a lot of seeds strewn about on a tray maybe? The person said it was LFSM bottom layer then 1:1 peat/perl, then chopped LFSM on top. To me it looked like a great way to sow them, but does anyone know the exact method? Is there an extremely better one? I found a tray that could probably hold all of that but wondering how you’d water it. It looked extremely wet, so my guess would be getting water slowly in one end until you get the wanted amount. Here’s the tray I found, no drainage holes.
IMG_7212.jpeg
IMG_7212.jpeg (464.94 KiB) Viewed 682 times
So anyhow besides sticking it under a grow light it doesn’t really seem like you could do much but wait for the seeds to germinate? I know a lot of people do it differently because I see mention of bagging it.

So I have some Sarr seeds and a bunch of Drosera seeds in cold strat. The drosera I thought might germinate in the tubes of water I have them in but now I’m thinking maybe that’s just for like leaf pullings and stuff. So yeah I’m overwhelmed with the options kinda and want some consensus on the best way. Please help me before I get nuttier than I already am lol.
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By ChefDean
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#453405
First, you're overthinking this. Breathe.
Second, what type of Drosera seeds are we talking about? Most can be sown the same as the next guy, but not all.
Third, I would use a pot that has drainage holes so it can be bottom watered in a tray. The tray you've pictured might be just fine, but you'd have to top water, which could wash seeds too deep into the topping or wash the topping over the seeds. Plus, without drainage, there could be issues of anaerobic conditions, stagnation, algae, mold, being kept too wet, etc. All these same conditions can be achieved with using a tray as well, but are much more easily controlled or rectified.
Fourth, that tray is nice, but maybe use it as a tray, not a pot. Repurpose a couple of the small sour cream or cottage cheese containers, single serve pudding cups, or any small plastic container (like egg cartons) and use those for pots. Most dollar stores have plastic shot glasses that work very well. Carefully drill some drainage holes on the side near the bottom, fill with media, sow a few seeds on top, then place in that tray.
Fifth, for the media, most carnivorous plant seeds do just fine in peat/perlite, and it's much less expensive than LFSM.
Sixth, in your neck of the woods, you shouldn't have any problem putting the seeds outside after they've been sown. Put them in a spot that protects them from the rain (that could splash the seeds out) and gets at least bright, indirect light. Direct sun, preferably AM, would be better, but not necessary right now. You've got at least a couple of months, maybe even well into October, before your conditions (depending on species) would require them to be brought in.
Seventh, are the Drosera seeds stratifying in the tubes of water in the fridge? If so, they won't germinate there.
Eighth, there is no "best way" as everyone's conditions are different, and people have different levels of care that they are able to provide. Some people have a huge greenhouse with thousands of plants and they're able to say something inspirational to each plant daily, others barely have the ability to remember to refill the tray of a single capensis on a windowsill, much less give it affirmation. You'll mostly have to do some trial and error to find what works for you.
Ninth, breathe young Grasshopper. You're not reinventing the wheel, you're just growing some plants that woke up (evolutionarily) and chose violence as a way of life.
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By evenwind
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#453411
^^^^^ Yeah, what Chef said, especially the breathing part. Only thing I'd add is to try to make the sowing surface as smooth as possible. I use finely chopped sphagnum but smoothed peat is fine, too. Seeds that fall into valleys in the media get less light and are less likely to germinate.
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By Jade
Location: 
Posts:  450
Joined:  Mon Feb 05, 2024 6:57 pm
#453416
ChefDean wrote: Thu Jul 04, 2024 11:47 am First, you're overthinking this. Breathe.
Second, what type of Drosera seeds are we talking about? Most can be sown the same as the next guy, but not all.
Third, I would use a pot that has drainage holes so it can be bottom watered in a tray. The tray you've pictured might be just fine, but you'd have to top water, which could wash seeds too deep into the topping or wash the topping over the seeds. Plus, without drainage, there could be issues of anaerobic conditions, stagnation, algae, mold, being kept too wet, etc. All these same conditions can be achieved with using a tray as well, but are much more easily controlled or rectified.
Fourth, that tray is nice, but maybe use it as a tray, not a pot. Repurpose a couple of the small sour cream or cottage cheese containers, single serve pudding cups, or any small plastic container (like egg cartons) and use those for pots. Most dollar stores have plastic shot glasses that work very well. Carefully drill some drainage holes on the side near the bottom, fill with media, sow a few seeds on top, then place in that tray.
I am a terminal overthinker lol. I’m not just a spazz about the plant stuff. :? You said tray twice but I think the second time you meant pot. Unless I’m mistaken in which case I’d be confused lol. Anyhow they’re S. Flava OP (what does OP even stand for btw? I’m used to it meaning “original poster” or “post” in forums, but that obviously doesn’t make sense. The other seeds are D. Intermedia. I assume the little water filled container they’re in now will be slowly be poured around two pots so that they have a nice spread. Also I haven’t bought the trays yet, so I might just wait until I have a few little seedling cups for convenience. I have a little more of the round light blue 1/2 inch (I think)deep trays that I really like because they don’t heat up. They do take a fair amount of room that a tray would cut back on, but I’ll probably search for one that’s not black or white. I have used the individual trays so far because I feel like separate trays are good for not spreading issues to more than one plant unless it’s pests or something. But full trays at this point are probably more reasonable.
Fifth, for the media, most carnivorous plant seeds do just fine in peat/perlite, and it's much less expensive than LFSM.
Sixth, in your neck of the woods, you shouldn't have any problem putting the seeds outside after they've been sown. Put them in a spot that protects them from the rain (that could splash the seeds out) and gets at least bright, indirect light. Direct sun, preferably AM, would be better, but not necessary right now. You've got at least a couple of months, maybe even well into October, before your conditions (depending on species) would require them to be brought in.
Seventh, are the Drosera seeds stratifying in the tubes of water in the fridge? If so, they won't germinate there.
5. yeah I was going to have it predominantly be 1:1 peat/perl, but I use LFSM at the bottom of pots and I thought the chopped LFSM on top was recommended for sowing? I have an extra bale set aside I can use already so nbd about expenses there at least. Although if I end up using like (2? I’m assuming it’s better to spread the seeds to like as many little containers as possible so they’re more spread?) a pudding cup or something. I do also have a bunch of condiment containers that were cheap that I bought for seeds, cuttings, and pullings, but I’m guessing that’s not enough room. I might have 1 cottage cheese container by then too. 6. I have a spot next to my porch that might work. If we get a storm though sometimes the wind and rain will still hit it. Besides the overhangs on the roof of my house I actually don’t have an area like you described. We’ve had some pretty hot and cold (slightly outside the norm for us) days and nights, but it hasn’t dropped below 50F at night and we only had a couple days that were in the 90s but felt like 100 with heat advisory. Okay I feel like that last question just messed me up. Isn’t cold stratification just putting the seeds in a container in the fridge? If so I’m not sure what you’re asking there, and if not it’s entirely possible I did something foolish and maybe screwed up my seeds. I really hope not though. The stuff I read before asking for opinions on what was a good idea for containers for cold stratification made it sound like you just pop them in a fridge or some place cool and dark. If there’s more to it I definitely messed up.
Eighth, there is no "best way" as everyone's conditions are different, and people have different levels of care that they are able to provide. Some people have a huge greenhouse with thousands of plants and they're able to say something inspirational to each plant daily, others barely have the ability to remember to refill the tray of a single capensis on a windowsill, much less give it affirmation. You'll mostly have to do some trial and error to find what works for you.
Ninth, breathe young Grasshopper. You're not reinventing the wheel, you're just growing some plants that woke up (evolutionarily) and chose violence as a way of life.
8. I thought you only started germination indoors, so I figured outdoor conditions weren’t factored in, but it makes sense to try to get them used to the sun over time and from the start. Also I guess some people using grow tents and people using just lights and maybe heating pads indoors would need slightly different advice. I’m the person who 99% of the time has time for all the affirmation stuff. 9. Yeah thank you. I know it’s probably annoying so my apologies for always asking a million and 1 questions, but it’s just kinda how I’m wired. I feel like I need to know things to the most macro level. I’m shocked my partner has put up with me so long lol.

Oh is it the same advice for the Sarr seeds?


And thank you for the extra advice @Evenwind :D
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By ChefDean
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Posts:  10221
Joined:  Tue Sep 18, 2018 12:44 am
#453423
Whew! Lots to unpack, so lets hit it.
Jade wrote: Thu Jul 04, 2024 4:42 pmYou said tray twice but I think the second time you meant pot.
No, I meant tray. That black tray you posted a pic of would best be used as a tray in my opinion.
Jade-Jade-Bo-Bade wrote: Thu Jul 04, 2024 4:42 pm(what does OP even stand for btw?
Open Pollinated. It means that the Mother is, in this case, flava, and the father could be any Sarracenia that was also blooming at the time.
Jade-Banana-Fana-Fo-Fade wrote: Thu Jul 04, 2024 4:42 pmAnyhow they’re S. Flava OP... The other seeds are D. Intermedia. I assume the little water filled container they’re in now will be slowly be poured around two pots so that they have a nice spread.
Yes, that would work. But you'll find that they don't just pour out as nicely as you describe. You'll likely have a clump of seedlings, but that's OK. A lot of people will sow temperate Drosera seeds on moist media in a pot, put that pot in a ziploc with ~1\4 inch of water in the bottom, seal it, put that in another ziploc, seal that, then put it all in the fridge. It takes up more space, but you can control where the seeds go much better.
With Sarracenia seeds, wrapped in a moist paper towel, double bagged in the fridge, works well. Those seeds are big enough to place where you want them.
Jade wrote: Thu Jul 04, 2024 4:42 pmAlso I haven’t bought the trays yet, so I might just wait until I have a few little seedling cups for convenience. I have a little more of the round light blue 1/2 inch (I think)deep trays that I really like because they don’t heat up. They do take a fair amount of room that a tray would cut back on, but I’ll probably search for one that’s not black or white.
You have that black tray to use, just find some little somethings to use as pots.
Jade wrote: Thu Jul 04, 2024 4:42 pmI have used the individual trays so far because I feel like separate trays are good for not spreading issues to more than one plant unless it’s pests or something. But full trays at this point are probably more reasonable.
Pests will find a way whether they're next to each other or not. They found a way to get there to begin with, right?
Jade wrote: Thu Jul 04, 2024 4:42 pm5. yeah I was going to have it predominantly be 1:1 peat/perl, but I use LFSM at the bottom of pots and I thought the chopped LFSM on top was recommended for sowing? I have an extra bale set aside I can use already so nbd about expenses there at least.
Up to you. Chopped LFSM on top isn't necessary, but many have said it seems they get better results. Personally, I save my LFSM for my Neps. However,
evenwind wrote:Only thing I'd add is to try to make the sowing surface as smooth as possible. I use finely chopped sphagnum but smoothed peat is fine, too. Seeds that fall into valleys in the media get less light and are less likely to germinate.
is spot on advice if you go that route.
Jade wrote: Thu Jul 04, 2024 4:42 pm(2? I’m assuming it’s better to spread the seeds to like as many little containers as possible so they’re more spread?)
I think so, then I may not have to do much separating later, just slip pot into a bigger pot.
Jade-a-rooney wrote:I do also have a bunch of condiment containers that were cheap that I bought for seeds, cuttings, and pullings, but I’m guessing that’s not enough room.
Those would be the perfect things to germinate seeds in. Easy to slip pot when the seedlings get bigger.
Jade wrote: Thu Jul 04, 2024 4:42 pm6. I have a spot next to my porch that might work. If we get a storm though sometimes the wind and rain will still hit it.
Maybe look into creating a barrier out of light shade cloth to keep the worst of the rain from washing out the media/seeds/seedlings. It'll still let light in, just block the rain.
Jade wrote: Thu Jul 04, 2024 4:42 pmWe’ve had some pretty hot and cold (slightly outside the norm for us) days and nights, but it hasn’t dropped below 50F at night and we only had a couple days that were in the 90s but felt like 100 with heat advisory.
As long as it's above freezing or it's not consistently in the 90's, they should be fine.
Jade wrote: Thu Jul 04, 2024 4:42 pmOkay I feel like that last question just messed me up. Isn’t cold stratification just putting the seeds in a container in the fridge?
Yes and no. Just putting them in the fridge is storing them. Creating a moist environment to put in the fridge is stratification. Seeds in water/on media kept moist in the fridge or larger seeds in kept moist in paper towels is stratification. They need those cold and wet conditions to germinate.
Jade wrote: Thu Jul 04, 2024 4:42 pm8. I thought you only started germination indoors, so I figured outdoor conditions weren’t factored in, but it makes sense to try to get them used to the sun over time and from the start.
They'll germinate if the conditions are right, or they'll decompose while waiting for the right conditions. I put the seeds in the conditions I'm going to grow them in so that they sprout already acclimated. I then don't have to go through the hassle of acclimating tender shoots to more harsh conditions. Work smarter, not harder.
Jade wrote: Thu Jul 04, 2024 4:42 pmI’m the person who 99% of the time has time for all the affirmation stuff.
I do as well, I just don't want my plants to think I like them. Tough love baby!
Jade wrote: Thu Jul 04, 2024 4:42 pm9. Yeah thank you. I know it’s probably annoying so my apologies for always asking a million and 1 questions, but it’s just kinda how I’m wired.
Not bad at all. At least you're asking different questions rather than the same questions over and over and over and over and over and over like some have done, somehow expecting a different answer.
Jade wrote: Thu Jul 04, 2024 4:42 pmOh is it the same advice for the Sarr seeds?
Pretty much.
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