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From Flotation to Growing plants

© Bill Richardson

Last article we discussed a flotation method for germinating seeds that don't retain their viability for a long time. Once the seeds have germinated, growing them on properly is important to your success.

We have looked at the use of the Flotation method for growing winged seeds and the success you will have when you try this method. As you have seen from the pictures posted with the article, they grow very healthily, very strong and almost rearing to jump right out of the water!

The speed of germination, if any, will vary from seed to seed. There is no fixed rule or time element involved. It is often Mother Nature's way of perpetuating a species, by providing a staggered germinating period.

You do need to take extra care when it is time to think about potting your seedling up. Eventually, you will have to do this so, plan it carefully and your plants will grow on, healthy and strong.

It is not harmful to leave the seeds germinating in the water container until some leaf growth appears, but make sure that the leaves/shoots of all seeds don't become entangled, as they may break when separating. They are very brittle and bruise and break easily.

Before removing the seeds from the container, prepare your pots, making sure the soil is damp.

Below is a picture of some hippeastrum seed I have scanned.

Use a mixture of good:

• Potting Mix
• with equal quantity of perlite
• a little blood and bone or bone meal

Fill the pot about three quarters full and fill the rest of the pot with perlite on top of this. Mix it in a bit but do not fill the pot completely.

Your pot is now ready for use.

POTTING UP Write out a plant label for each pot, listing date, name of species and number of seedlings.

Place up to 5 seedlings in each pot.

The open mix with the extra perlite mixed on top is best, so that the seeds will push down very easily through the mix when growing. If the soil is too hard or compacted, then the seedling root will not be able to push down into the mix. Now we are ready to plant our lovely plants that have formed in the water.

Use tweezers, your fingers, the end of a plant label or whatever you like to lift the seedlings out of the water. Be very careful so as not to break the roots or the growing tips. You must handle them very gently. With the end of your pencil or plant label, make a small hole for the shoot to go into the mix. Then, position the root very carefully into the small hole you have made.

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