From: "Windy Aubrey" <exotics at hawaii.rr.com> on 2009.01.26 at 17:45:46(18989)
Now that I have a little time let me give a brief instruction to how I grow my Anthuriums from seed for anyone out there who also might be interested in do so.
I have never been disappointed with this method and have extremely good luck getting my seedlings up and eventually into pots, no matter which species I have tried.
First thing is you will want to remove the capsule from the seed. If the capsule is left on, this can produce mold. The capsule will also slow down the germination process.
I like to squeeze the capsule into a cup of water, so the seed sink and anything else floats and can be removed.
Also, if you don't intend on planting immediately you can leave the seeds submerged in the water to retain their freshness for a period of time.
The next thing I do is I get a clear container with a snap top lid. I like to use the plastic boxes that some salads come in, but any similar type container will work.
I poke a few hole in the bottom to drain any excess moisture. I use the tip of a hot glue gun to melt the hole through, but anyway to poke a hole to allow some drainage will take care of this function.
Then for my medium I use New Zealand sphagnum moss. I chop this moss up very fine so it is no longer long and fibrous, but soft and fluffy. Use scissors or a blender to perform this step.
I feel this type of 'bog' sphagnum is part of the key to my success as it is nature's original Neosporin and wards off any bacteria and fungus from developing.
To this fine and fluffy moss I add some 'small' (#1 grade) sponge rock (perolite) and also some agricultural or hardwood charcoal broken into fine pieces. Do NOT use charcoal briquettes. You can also use aquarium charcoal.
You don't need very much only a slight scattering to the other two ingredients. So the mix would be something like 3 parts moss, 1 part sponge rock (perolite), and a good peppering of charcoal.
Mix this together and fill the clear plastic container 1/3 full, then pat the medium down slightly to make a bed. After the container is filled, I slightly moisten the top of the medium down with good water. Use bottled water if your water is poor quality or salty. This will keep the seeds from going below the surface of the medium.
Next I pour off the top water that the seeds are resting in to remove any foreign particles and add fresh bottled water to re-submerge the seeds.
Then I scoop out the seeds with some of the water, using a spoon or scooper and place the seed on the surface of the medium.
It is very important not to bury the seeds, but only let them lay on the top of the moss exposed. Remember, do not bury or cover the seeds at all!
You can also pour off the majority of the water in the holding container and then pour the seeds out on to the medium surface. Just be careful not to pour too rapidly or the seeds will all end up in a pile, and the excess water will make a well in the moss, sometimes placing the seeds below the medium surface.
Next, place the snap top lid over the container and place the container in a warm shady place. Do not place in the sun, but give it light.
I do not think a greenhouse is necessary, because the container it's self becomes it's own growing environment.
After a few days you will notice the seeds beginning to turn green and plump up. Soon after you will see the tap root develop, and then your on you way.
In no time the first leaf will emerge. At this point I move the contain to a slightly brighter spot, but still keeping it away from any sun.
Once the seedlings reach the top of the container I removed the snap top lid slightly to acclimate the seedlings, then a few days later remove them and pot them into a small pot.
For their first planting I use this same medium, but I add another part of the sponge rock and one part of seedling bark the orchid grower's use.
I hope this quick run down helps any and all who enjoy propagating.
Windy
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