U. monanthos

[Loakesy]

It's taken some time, but I think my U. monanthos seeds, curtesy of Giles_ks, have finally germinated. There are dozens of tiny leaf-like structures all over the top of the soil I sewed them in. Problem is, in the time it'e taken for them to grow, the top of the peat has become green and slimey, and looking very unhealthy. Can anyone recommend a possible cure, or should I just leave it well alone?

It's currently in the garden under a garden table to protect it from the heavy rain we've had recently. Is this OK or should I bring it indoors?

Thank Yoooooo!!!! 8)

[Rob-Rah]

Spray the soil surface with water at least once a day. That usually clears up the green algal stuff.

[Sean Spence]

I have found that this species (and other similar species) will grow more rapidly from seed if the growing media is kept extremely wet. I keep the waterlevel just above the rim of the pot (a few mms), so the plants are just submerged.

As Rob said, if you spray the surface with water for a few days the green algae usually disappears. I would spray until you get rid of it then raise the waterlevel. They will grow fine in low light levels such as those they would probably experience under you bench but may not flower well, if at all. I would expect the plants to reach flowering size within 6 months if the conditions are ideal.

[Guest Tamlin Dawnstar]

Another fine observation that I will listen to. I will increase the water level for this species, which seems a slow grower in my cultivation.

[Sean Spence]

I should probably clarify my comments. When the seed is sown I keep the waterlevel just at the rim of the pot. Any higher and the seed and growing media could potentially float away. Usually by the time the seeds germinate the mix will have settled and the level can be raised the extra couple of millimetres. Has worked beautifully so far with all of the Australian Utric species sown in the past.

[Loakesy]

Thanks all!

I've kept the water level fairly high most of the time with the occasional light flood, raising the water level to a few mm above the soil. I've started the daily spraying regime as of yesterday!! 8)

I very nearly gave up on them tho'!

The table they are under is quite tall, and the pot will get a lot of afternoon sun from the south. Is this still OK?

[Giles_KS]

I'm glad the seeds have germinated for you. My own (adult) plants have just come into flower again, which I keep very wet. I also have a lovely plant of U. warburgii (kindly sent to me by another forum member) that has just come into flower. That also had its pot covered in algal slime and I was worried that it would choke the plant, which wasn't very big. it didn't seem to cause any damage and the plant grew through it OK so I left it, but with seedlings it might be more prolematic.

Giles

[Loakesy]

Thanks Giles! 8)