Ephedra germination question.

[tripp'n]

Hi all,

What would be the best mix for germinating Ephedra?, Should i use cacti mix or just go with a seedraising mix.

Thanks.

[Darklight]

And the answer is... Coarse Sharp Sand

It is, it really is...

[Guest reville]

I soak till they split then plant out individually into a rough mix. I find CSS dries out too quickly or compacts and gets all green and rank from algae. I like the CSS,seed raising mix,vermiculite,pinch perlite mix. It seems (for me) to keep its moisture and drainage longer than CSS alone.

[Torsten]

Originally posted by reville:

I find CSS dries out too quickly or compacts and gets all green and rank from algae.

Seed does not need any nutrients as it has plenty of storage. The scum develops from nutrients. Always sow seed of similar germinating times in the same tray and start feeding when the majority have popped up. Use clean rainwater up to that time. You will get no scum problems this way.

I like the CSS,seed raising mix,vermiculite,pinch perlite mix. It seems (for me) to keep its moisture and drainage longer than CSS alone.

For such dry climates as yours, a little bit of vermiculite in the CSS is probably a good idea anyway. Probably best to just work some into the upper surface layer as the bottom stays quite wet.

[somnif]

I have been succesful with getting eph.sin.

to germiniate but inevitably I have

been getting it to about 2cm high and it

stops growing and dies.

Initially I though it was due to too much

water, or lack of nutrition (I was growing

in sand) so next time around I made an effort

to minimise watering, and also added a 1 part

potting mix to 5 parts sand - result, the

same.

Is there something I should be doing at

this point such as transplanting or adding

a food source? These babies were also left

out in the (Melbourne) summer sun - could

this be a factor?

[This message has been edited by somnif (edited 02 May 2002).]

[Pablo]

i've tried a few different mixes, sand, cactus mix ect. highest and quickest germination rates i've had have been with moist verimulite (!!!). after they've grown a few cm i transplant.