Isoplexis Caneriensis

Has anyone had any experience of growing this from seed?, I've just been sent some freshly collected seed from a friend and was going to store in the fridge and sow in spring, can't find much info on when to sow the seed just that its best to sow fresh as the seed doesn't keep well, do you think I should sow now in my heated propagator or would it be better to wait till spring .

 

Hi Simbad. Last year I grew some Isoplexis sceptrum, which I believe is very similar - and sometimes confused with canariensis, from the RHS seed scheme. If I remember correctly they were extremely small. I sowed them on 30 January and they germinated 71 days later on 11 April. I sowed them in a heated propagator in my lightbox. But for 71 days I don't think they made much use of the light.

They can't have germinated that well, as I only grew two plants. They grew very slowly at first, but by the end of the first year they were looking a decent, if small, size. I overwintered them in a frost free greenhouse, and now they are fine bushy plants about 18 inches to 2 feet high - but haven't flowered yet.

Given the time taken to germinate - it might be worth trying some now, but also hold a bit back till later.

 

This is a beautiful plant Simbad!
I have no experience of germinating this, but Ron Hubbard from Hill House nursery is quoted by his wife on another site as saying it is easy.....

If the seeds are small, here is a method that I used on some Deppea splendens seeds - I sowed some on a dampened cotton wool pad which I just sat in a heated propagator. High germination rate and easy to pot up from without root damage.

Not saying use it, just a thought.

 

Knew someone on here'd know
Thankyou Peter and longk :D, I do have lots of seed so I'll try both your methods see which works best,and save some for spring, let you know how I get on.
Yes Peter the seed is very small

 

I grew this from seed a few years ago.

As I remember germination was not great, and took a while.

I'm not sure high temps help, as I found the plant prefered cool but mild weather, flowering best later in the summer as things cooled down.
A bit like fuscha in that respect.

 

If I could get just one plant like that Pete I'd be happy, beautiful.

 

This was taken at Oxfords botanic gardens at the end of September..........

 

Hi Longk
Just curious to know if you managed to grow those Deppea splendens seedlings on to flower ?
I did aquire a small plant last year but whilst on hoilday it go overwatered and I lost it ..

Dave

 

Holidays and water are a common theme with Deppea then........

I went on holiday and clearly did not impress upon my Dad the importance of giving the young seedlings a trickle of water - every one was shrivelled when we returned

Same source has promised fresh seeds next year......

 

Yep I'm afraid holidays are a difficult time with seedlings and delicate plants .But they do try their best....

Dave

 

I had enough seeds this time, so will bear you in mind next year,

 

Well I have my first seedling :yess:, after Pete saying they didn't like high temperatures, and as I have quite a bit of seed, thought I'd try a few in a small plant pot on the windowsill with a clear plastic cup on top and no heat first, then try some in the heated propogater when I get it out in a month or so, sowed on the 5th December, yesterday 1 seedling showing green and 3 more just sprouting :happydance:.

 

Well done Simbad, it could get leggy this time of year though.

 

Yes I'll keep my eye on them strongylodon, bit worried about when to sow as I'd read its best to sow the seed fresh, fingers crossed I'll be able to keep them alive