Desert Rose seeds germination

GROWING CONDITION:

Light: Full sun. Perfect for a sunny window.

Water: Water during the summer and spring. Reduce water in the winter, but keep hydrated enough to retain its leaves.

Temperature: Keep at least 50º at all times; if you keep temperatures of 60º or higher during the winter, the plant may retain its leaves.Soil: A well-drained succulent mix, with an ideal pH around 6.0 (slightly acidic).

DESERT ROSE GERMINATION TIPS:

1. Mix one part perlite, one part sand and one part potting soil in a 5-gallon bucket. Add water slowly to the mixture until it is evenly moist but not soggy. Fill a plastic seedling tray with soil, tamping the media down slightly until it is 1 inch below the tray's top.

2. Spread the desert rose seeds horizontally over the surface of the media in the tray. Space the individual seeds 2 to 3 inches apart. Press the seeds down gently to ensure full contact with the soil's surface.

3. Put on a pair of gloves. Read all label directions and warnings on a package of seedling fungicide. Dust the fungicide onto the surfaces of the seeds with a small paintbrush.

4. Sprinkle a 1/4- to 1/2-inch layer of soil over the top of the seeds, covering them completely. Lightly mist the soil's surface with water from a spray bottle. Cover the tray with a clear plastic cover.

5. Position a heat mat in an area with bright, indirect sunlight and a constant temperature of 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Turn the mat on and adjust its temperature setting to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the tray on top of the mat.

6. Remove the cover once per day, and wipe away any condensation from its interior with a paper towel or cloth. Lightly mist over the tray when the top layer of soil begins to dry. Keep the media moist, but never soggy.

7. Watch for emerging sprouts one week after planting. Remove the cover once the seeds germinate. Remove the tray from the mat, put the mat away and replace the tray in its former position.

8. Water the seedlings in the morning with a watering can when the top 1 inch of soil becomes dry. Pour the water directly onto the growing media, being careful not to splash the leaves.

9. Fertilize the seedlings weekly with a 10-10-10 water-soluble fertilizer. Mix 1/2 teaspoon fertilizer with 1 gallon of water. Pour the fertilizer solution directly into the tray, applying it in place of a watering.

10. Transplant the seedlings into individual 6-inch pots when they develop six true leaves, generally four weeks after germination. Fill a 6-inch pot three-quarters full of potting soil. Extract one plant from the tray using a trowel to dig carefully around its roots and lift it upward. Place the seedling into the centre of the pot, positioning the top of the root ball 2 inches below the top of the pot. Fill the pot with additional soil until the soil surface is even with the top of the root ball. Do not plant the seedling deeper than it was previously growing. Fill the pot with water two to three times to moisten the soil completely.

TIP: Use a flat tray container about 10 inches by 15 inches (biggest or smaller your choice) 1.5 to 2 inches deep. Make sure you have plenty of holes in it for good water drainage - put the seedling mix you prepared up to almost top leaving about 0.5 inches space -now evenly spread the seeds over it after that cover the seeds with seedling mix only about 0.5 cm (half a centimeter) -water it by watering can - place the container in semi-shaded place.

IMPORTANT WATERING USE: Use watering can for watering. By moving the water stream constantly waves the can. Do not let the water to flood in particular area. Or use a sprayer to spray the water like mist.