Rhodochiton 4th Time Lucky ?

I am attempting to grow Rhodochiton Atrosanguineum , climber , for the fourth and possibly last time from seed .My previous attempts achieved nothing , not even the first sign of a feeble germination
My final master plan is a mix of seedcompost with about 1/3rd perlite , just moist not wet. Fine sieve a dusting of seed compost for the small flat seeds to lie on then another dusting of seed compost to cover. Spray with copper fungicide , then a light covering of vermiculite. Then germinate at 18°c, not in direct sunlight.....
Has anyone else had success with this from seed ? How longish should they take to germinate ? Is my sowing method correct for these small flat seeds ? Do I need to sacrifice a chicken at midnight for success?

TIA

 

Harry they are not the easiest of seeds I must admit.

I've grown them once or twice and I usually surface sow on sandy compost, then cover the pot with believe it or not one of those milky coloured plastic lids you get to reseal tins.
I use a propagator set at about 24C.

Once germinated I sprinkle a little fine compost around the seedlings to anchor them, its a slow process at first.

I find they make better plants in the second summer, its not a very strong growing climber.

This is a second year plant from a couple of years ago.



One other thing, if you get them going you can take cuttings from then onwards and overwinter them.

 

Never tried them Harry - but always fancied having a go.

I had a look in my RHS seed germination guide and it said 10C-16C, takes up to 90 days. It actually could be quite a lot less. The RHS puts its seeds into bands - up to 30 days, up to 90 days etc.

They also said use well drained compost, chilling may improve germination, sow in spring.

Pete - have just crossed with you. Yours is a fantastic sight. Well worth having a go.

 

Thanks All for the very prompt replies.
Pete your pic is rubbing salt in the wound :D It looks great !
I have a milky coloured prop lid so I will use that , and surface sow them and watch for germination - hopefully before 90 days ! Should I chill the seeds ? How long for ?
PeterS if you are thinking of growing them...
Thompson and Morgan 10 seeds £3.99
Nickys seeds 10 seeds £5.25 !!!!
I got mine on Ebay , the major seed suppliers seem very expensive for a seed difficult to germinate.

 

If you were looking for seed last year I had loads of the stuff.
Sorry rubbing salt again :D

I've never thought of chilling the seed.

I went on the assumption being from Mexico it would not want it.

I know Mexico has varying climates but this likes it warm during the growing season to do well, and dry and probably just cool in winter.

 

Thanks for the planting advice Pete and PeterS.
I have managed to germinate my Rhodochiton seeds About a third have come up after 15 days, sown as Pete suggested. Well one germinated after 4 days , I am a bit suspicious about that one it may be a rogue seed that has slipped into the compost :th_scifD36: I sowed another batch last week as back up , they are only £1 for a 20 packet on the EBay charity seed shop.
Now I just need to grow them as big and beautiful as the one in Petes picture !

 

Congratulations Harry - thats pretty quick really.

 

Good to hear Harry

After your post reminded me, I found a container of seed, its been in the greenhouse all last summer and this winter.
Anyway I've sown a few just to see if they are still viable, who knows?

 

• We planted 15 seeds at the end of january on the windowsill in the spare room and as yet only five of them have germinated. They do seem to be a bit erratic. We planted begonias at the same time and they have germinated now but they were slow and the are [size=x-small]tiny [/size][size=small]but they are light dependant (12hrs at least maybe Rhodochiton are as well ![/size]
• [size=small]Mrs Chopper[/size]

 

Hello Mrs Chopper , nice to hear someone else is having success with this plant . Possibly a 33% germination rate is all that can be expected from this seed . It is better than the three 0%'s I have had in the past :D