Datura Metel

Hiya folks.
I’ve been gifted a few seed. Any tips on the best way forward regarding getting them to germinate? Are they worth the effort? I understand they can be a bit difficult.
Cheers...Freddy

 

Hiya Freddy. I did mine from seed ... and I am useless with seed so cannot give any tips as it was luck. I just kept it out of the hot sun ... not a problem for you though! I found they only lived a couple of years, unlike Brugs which live forever.



PS I have more seed for this year .... I remember they germinated quickly.

 

Hiya Vicky
I’ve had a look around (online) and there are some that advocate nicking the seed then soaking. On the other hand, there are others that say it makes no difference

 

I've grown them and they can take a while to germinate, but soaking in warm water helps.
Having said that, I've not grown any for a few years now, but it depends on variety, I never had much luck from the "super ones" from T&M but remember having a fairly good show from some less "special" ones from Suttons.
Some doubles, some single.

 

Thanks Pete. So, no need to nick/scrape the seed then you reckon?

 

Not something I've ever done with Datura.
But they can be slow and need a good bit of heat, 25C plus, I'd suggest.

 

Thanks Pete.

That might be a problem, I’ll have a think.

 

When I didn't have a propagator, years ago, I used the airing cupboard, piece of glass over to retain moisture.

 

Yeah, I thought about the airing cupboard. During the day, when the heating is on, I imagine it must be quite warm, but at night the heating is off, it might not be quite as warm. Does this 25c mark need to be constant do you think?

 

Freddy, I would put it in a sealed baggy in a warmish place, south windowsill perhaps as surely you have warmth indoors?

 

I sowed some D.wrightii seeds from 2010 three weeks ago and so far six have germinated. Soaked in an old jam jar for three days using hot water from the kettle (changed three or four times a day when I made a cuppa) then sown into moist vermiculite in a clear plastic tub. Sat that on the radiator until they started germinating (last Sunday) and then put it onto the window sill. There is a fair bit of disturbance of the vermiculite still happening so I guess that I have several more coming.

 

I got a tank in my airing cupboard.
I dont think you need constant temps.

 

No tank in mine, we got one of those new-fangled combination boilers There is a radiator though

 

Yep, the airing cupboard is sounding favourite. Once they’re up, I can transfer to my light/heat box.

 

Check them twice a day Freddy.