Pete Bog Posted December 9, 2012 Report Share Posted December 9, 2012 (edited) Hi I sowed some seed a few weeks ago and had 2 germinate within a couple of weeks I transferred as soon as I saw green shoot into a full size pot of vermiculite/perlite and things looked rosey. Dewey Pine seedling by arbygfx, on Flickr This was the largest of the two and today when I checked it had wilted, the remaining seedling is still looking good but as they're both been treated the same I'm worried it too might die. Was it a mistake to sow this time of year? tnx Bob ps whats with the slide show thing below? I didn't insert it Edited December 9, 2012 by Pete Bog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel G Posted December 9, 2012 Report Share Posted December 9, 2012 The biggest mistake is germinating and transferring, germinate it in a peat pot and go on from there. I think it was Adrian Slack who said plants which were transferred didn't last long. Mine, which is still growing strong wilted twice, and came back with water. Where are your plants growing? P.S The slideshow is your signature. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimscott Posted December 9, 2012 Report Share Posted December 9, 2012 I feel your pain! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Bog Posted December 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2012 Hi Daniel I was following the instructions that came with the seed, which basically was to lift the seed and a clump of compost as soon as germination occurred. It was just a green bud when I moved it and actually grew quite fast to the size in the photo (2cm) then just keeled over for no apparent reason. subsequent Googling also seems to show a preference for sowing in the pot its to live in... maybe next time, dunno why I didn't go for the peat pot option now as I have several... doh! They are currently in the bathroom window and get bright but not direct sunlight (not that we have had much of that recently). regards Bob (found the offending media in my sig - thanks) The biggest mistake is germinating and transferring, germinate it in a peat pot and go on from there. I think it was Adrian Slack who said plants which were transferred didn't last long. Mine, which is still growing strong wilted twice, and came back with water. Where are your plants growing? P.S The slideshow is your signature. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel G Posted December 11, 2012 Report Share Posted December 11, 2012 If you have any south facing windows, put it in that one (Unless of course it's in one already) I've been looking around and seen about plants dying for no reason, but for me I always try to find a reason... How often are you watering, how much aswell? Also, what potting mix are they in? Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Bog Posted December 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2012 Dan They're in a SW window in 8 inch pots of 50/50 perlite/vermiculite with a handful of moss peat (my best Irish Shamrock) and a handful of sharp sand per pot. The pots were initially well watered with rainwater to settle the mix and then stood in a plant pot saucer to which I just add water until it is no longer drawn up. Then the seedling was added along with a clump of the compost from the seed tray. I just water into the saucer so as not to disturb the compost . When I see the compost begin to dry at the top edge of the pot after a few days I add a little more water to the saucer until it is drawn up again. If you have any south facing windows, put it in that one (Unless of course it's in one already) I've been looking around and seen about plants dying for no reason, but for me I always try to find a reason... How often are you watering, how much aswell? Also, what potting mix are they in? Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenofeden Posted December 11, 2012 Report Share Posted December 11, 2012 Your watering sounds ok. I keep mine stood in water all the time until much bigger than yours. I would never use vermiculite, it is very water retentive. Also find it toxic to some CPs. Equal parts perlite, grit, sand and peat substitute would be my choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marlon Posted December 11, 2012 Report Share Posted December 11, 2012 (edited) have you checked on fungus gnats? that has killed my seedlings unfortunatly Edited December 11, 2012 by Marlon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olivier marthaler Posted December 12, 2012 Report Share Posted December 12, 2012 Hi Bob, I'm no expert in Drosophyllum, but I have often heard that no matter how well you try sowing this species in autumn and growing this plant in wintertime, they will die. I think late winter is the best season to sow them. A couple of experts also told me overwintering them is hard, and they prefer sowing seeds and having new plants each year, then harvesting seeds each year and starting the cycle again!!! (However, in Andalucia, I saw some specimens which were almost 1 metre high and I could bet they were at least 10 years old ;-) ) Good luck, Olivier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxxima Posted February 4, 2013 Report Share Posted February 4, 2013 Time of the year has no effect on it if you provide additional lighting. 5 of mine germinated in December/January 2011 and they are still alive. My opinion on vermiculite is different as well. I use it in all my pots without any problems. My mix is vermiculite, peat and perlite - 1:1:1 I find this to be a hardy plant. The only sensitive part is the roots. When you damage a small part of the root, you will see that a part of the plant wilts immediately. If you damage more roots, a bigger area will wilt. This is what happens when you transfer, if the damage is too great, the plant can not recover. Just use peat pots or sow them in huge pots from the beginning. I sow them in small plastic pots but cut the lower half of the pot while transferring, I never take out the soil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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