The truth behind Roridula

[jcreef]

First a big hello from Sunny Miami!

For around the past 4 years I have been fascinated by Roridula and it's unique look, but this fascination is strongly intertwined with frustration!

The web is lacking in information on it's cultivation and germination, the few articles or posts about Roridula sometimes contradict each other and make for more confusion!
Cold stratification, Freezing, Heat stratification, GA3, Smoke treatment, Bright light reaching seeds, Temperature fluctuations, dry heat/moist cold, no special treatment, soaking - These are all things I've read about germinating Roridula, and Honestly it seems like no one have really figured out the trick to successful germination.

I have tried Roridula a few times and only once did I ever get Germination... funny enough I didn't really do anything special to the seeds and they germinated after about 2 weeks (Go figure!). The only two seedlings that germinated died soon after, for some reason they could not "pop off" their seed coats and just died.

*Cheers* Here is to hoping for some good discussion on Roridula germination!! I know Brian you've had good luck with this Genus and I hope you share some details from your success!

Warmest Regards and Happy growing,
-Jc
Miami, Fl

[jcreef]

I wanted to add I'm experimenting with some overlooked methods to induce germination - No hope yet, but we'll see what happens! I figure as with most who have grown Roridula you guys have had different germination times. From my understanding germination can take place anywhere from a few weeks to over a year. It'd be interesting to see if we can pinpoint methods of germination/Seed Pre-treatment to germination times.

Warmest Regards and Happy Growing,
-Jc
Miami, Fl

[Brian Barnes]

Hi JC,
Here's a link to the Roridula threads on Aidan's IP-Forum. If you haven't joined his Forum yet, I highly recommend it. Aidan is a good friend and runs a tight ship!

www.insektenfang.com/ipforum/index.php?showforum=30

The information i've found on the mentioned thread is the most accurate and is applicable to growing them here in Fl. The seed do require a brief warm period for a few weeks and then germinate as cooler temps arrive.

Here's some life or death rules for Fl. cultivation, based on my own experience;
Do not keep plants or seedlings above 80F for long periods of time. Perfect temperature ranges are 45-78F. Do not allow insects to gather and rot on the leaves. Unless you have the insect hosts to dissiminate the prey, the insects rot and cause fungus which spreads to the leaves, crown and the plant crashes....quickly! Always keep damp, never saturated. These plants need constant air movement and lower humidity as well in order to be successfully grown in "The Sunshine State"

Happy Growing,
Brian.

[jcreef]

Thanks for the Information Brian!!

Lets see how my experimentation works... I joined the Ip forum recently, nice forum! The Cultivation techniques for Florida come in VERY handy! It seems the plants would make an Ideal Living room plant... (temps in the low 70's, medium humidity, no insects to rot on the leaves and a nice big glass french door to provide good bright lighting.) Probably great to grow in the larger african violet style self watering pots that keeps the soil evenly moist with a nice airy mix.

I'm still crossing my fingers on figuring something out to speed germination, frustrating! But worth it in the end


Warmest Regards and Happy Growing,
-Jc
Miami, Fl

[jcreef]

Well guys,

I'm proud to say I am a new dad! I got 3 gorgonias germinating. Funny enough I didn't really do anything special for them, I planted them indoors in 50/50 Silica sand/peat kept the soil moist with 1cm of water in a tray, a day or two after the water evaporated I topped it off again to 1 cm deep. I will add that I did use a very small reptile heat pad under the container to provide some bottom heat, perhaps that helped or triggered something.

I have good air circulation, bright light (close to Fluorescent tube) and have been spraying with physan20 fungicide since day one!


However, as happy as I am - two things worry me. First, I planted the seeds in small 3oz cups (with drainage hole of course) I'm terrified of transplanting now and hurting them. And my biggest concern, None of the three seedlings have popped off their seed coats which also worries me, because the last time I germinated a pair of gorgonias seeds the seed coats never came off and they died:(

Any thoughts?

Warmest Regards and Happy Growing,
-Jc
Miami, Fl

[Brian Barnes]

Hey JC,

Congrats!

I'd back off of the fungicide a bit and keep them a bit drier and in as much moving air as possible. The biggest cause for loss is the fact that the seed coat does stay on the seedlings for quite a while. This is normal....do not assist removal.
If humidity is high with no air circulation, you've set up the perfect micro-climate for fungus to start in the seedcoat and spread to the plant.

Regarding transplantation, try it only on one first. If you have to, cut the sides out of the cups to avoid root disturbance and move the entire media, totally intact to a larger pot. Wait a few days to measure your success. If all is well, give them all a new home.

I'd add a little perlite to your mix in the larger pots. This ensures better drainage and soil aeration, an important key to maintaining these gems here in tropical Florida. Remember, these plants do not like to be waterlogged and do have shallow root systems as a result of this dislike. They are more tolerant of wetter conditions in cool weather (50 to 70F) than in warmer (75-90F) Remember too, the leaves do not like to be wet for long periods either, especially if there are insects stuck on them. I remove all insects from mine, since I've lost three flowering adults before, as a result of not doing so.
If you have no Pameridea to convert them to usable nutrients for the plant, then the insects become a fungal hazard here in tropical Florida...

Love to see some pics!

Happy Growing,

Brian.