Ashoka Posted October 25, 2002 Ok, I'm about to take some cuttings of my precious seed grown Sceletium and I need some advice. What is the best method to root a Sceletium cutting without using root hormone? Is root hormone essential? Thanks Ashoka Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Dunkel Posted October 25, 2002 I take about a 3-4 noded cutting (6-8cm) which can either be a soft green stem segment or a harder segment. Remove the lower leaves that go into the soil (carefully, as removing the leaves can break the stem) and water in. leave for a few weeks under shade cloth in not too warm an area and they should have roots. If they wilt, remove to a cooler shadier area. They tend to wilt a bit out of the shock or the cutting process anyway. I suspect they are very similar in growth characteristics to the aussie local pigface plants and so should root easily without root hormone powder, but I use it just in case for my cuttings. Sandy soil or cactus soil work fine for them. Want to trade cuttings? I wouldn't mind some genetic diversity. Damn, just realised you are in Denmark, that might make it harder, they don't travel well as cuttings/plantlets. Maybe if you get seeds (and when I get seeds). E D ps. How did you grow them from seed? did you get a good germination ratio? [This message has been edited by Ed Dunkel (edited 25 October 2002).] Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ashoka Posted October 26, 2002 Thanks Ed I will follow your instructions closely. I grew it from seed by making an humidity tent over the pot with seeds and keeping it by the window pane. The fluctuating tempteratures by the window and the humidity encouraged the seeds to germinate - that is my theory anyway. The germination rate of the seeds were about 4:10 not very good, but good enough for me. Ed, do you collect pollen from your Sceletiums? If you do, we could make some seeds, when my Sceletium eventually blooms. Thanks Ashoka [This message has been edited by Ashoka (edited 25 October 2002).] Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Dunkel Posted October 26, 2002 Similar conditions to mine. Moist soil in small pot next to window with some cling film over it and I got 1:10 That is why I am after some genetic diversity. When mine flowers I'll try and collect the pollen and send it to you pronto . But my biggest hope would be seed trade as they would be much better prepared to handel the journey and be viable at the end of it. I wouldn't know how long pollen would last. The other problem would be that flowering time would be seasonal and we are out by 6 months. Anyway, send me an email and we will sort stuff out. E D Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DazedSol Posted October 27, 2002 Hey all....i have read recently that sceletium seed have some sort of inhibitor on them which may explain your low germination rates....if i can find the ref. ill post it...... What i have heard to do is to put seeds in a small vial or test tube or something with water and soak them for about a week, giving them a little shake daily through the week.... after this germ. rate should increase dramatically...... I just planted 20 seeds yesterday...have them in cactus soil(2/3 coursesharpsand,1/3 fine humus)....so we'll see how this goes... -peace Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ashoka Posted October 29, 2002 Hi Dazedsol Are you thinking of this article? http://www.tacethno.com/info/sceletium/germination.txt Keep us posted with your seed project. Cheers Ashoka Ps. Ed, I just mailed you.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DazedSol Posted October 29, 2002 Yes Ashoka, thats the one...thanks for posting the link Anyway...an update on the seeds.....After soaking and shaking the seeds for five days they were planted...now after only four days two sprouts came up! woowhoo! ....Hopefully more will soon follow... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Dunkel Posted October 29, 2002 That's great!!! As soon as I get seeds I'll try that out. E D Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ashoka Posted October 30, 2002 Ed, check your mail... Ash Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ashoka Posted November 12, 2002 Ed, how do you usually ship your Sceletium cuttings? In other words how do I ensure my cuttings will survive a trip through the postal system. I'm shipping them locally. Thanks Ashoka Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Dunkel Posted November 12, 2002 I usually pot up a cutting and leave it too root and send it out when it starts to show strong healthy growth. I put the cuttings in small pots that mail easily. Make sure you pack them carefully as the leaves bruise easily. Also pack them so they don't move around much in transport. Have you got any pictures of your sceletiums? laters, E D Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ashoka Posted November 15, 2002 Thanks for the advice Ed. I have a couple pic's here.. http://forums.lycaeum.org/cgi-bin/kil/fg.p...bum&id=00000100 Greetings Ashoka Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Dunkel Posted November 15, 2002 Good to know our sceletiums look very similar. Just have to wait for the flowers to show for the real identification E D Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
woof woof woof Posted November 16, 2002 Hmmmmm, fruits of the earth! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
