Seed Propagation of Hardy Succulents

Welcome to the Member Ideas area! This community feature is where our members can post their own ideas. These posts are unedited and not necessarily endorsed by the National Gardening Association.
Posted by @BlueFox on
I propagate hardy succulents such as Sempervivum, Jovibarba and Rosularia from seed to give me a chance of getting some exciting new types as well as a very economical way to get lots of plants. Using seed is a way to get many choices, some of them different and unusual. Sometimes you get lots of very similar types, but that’s okay; use them in tapestry beds, mosaics and other crafts.

2010-07-15/valleylynn/125a24

Sources: I’ve found seeds of various succulents, mainly Sempervivum, in seed catalogs in addition to their selection of all kinds of other perennials and annuals. Look carefully as they sometimes are hidden under some kind of category like unusual plants, greenhouse plants, alpine plants or something else.

A good source with great seeds and a very extensive list, as well as a credit system if the seeds don’t germinate is www.gardensnorth.comI’ve also found Sempervivum in www.thompsonmorgan.com.

Of course, you can also save your own seed from rosettes that bloom. Keep in mind that all these seeds will be insect pollinated, so depending on the types that are blooming at the same time, the resulting seedlings will reflect many different parents. This is a good thing – this is how new varieties are made.

How to plant the seeds: Sempervivum, Jovibarba and the other types of hardy succulents don’t  usually need or benefit from a cold period (called stratification) to start germinating, so you can plant them in a communal flat immediately after you receive them.

I wait until the weather is fairly settled in the spring and there isn’t the chance of a hard freeze any more. Overnight low temperatures are fine, with daytime temperatures above freezing.

Prepare your flats – I use a 1020 open flat which is half filled with sterilized Sunshine Mix #4 which has added aggregate to drain better. It also has a water retaining polymer to hold more moisture, so the flat won’t dry out. There is nothing more difficult than re-wetting a dried out flat of peat based soil mix. I also put a thin layer of turkey grit on top before seeding to make it easier for the seeds to find a moist place to germinate. This also stops the growth of moss or algae, which can choke out the seedlings.

2010-07-11/BlueFox/73dc06 2010-07-25/BlueFox/3c82dd

You will usually get a lot of fine dust like seeds in the package,

and if you’re in luck, they are double packed, with a smaller glassine envelope inside the larger seed package. This makes it easier to evenly distribute them in the flat.

I press a stick into the soil so there are three or four rows. This makes it easier to take the tiny seedlings out when they grow enough. Sprinkle the seeds very thinly by pinching a tiny amount with finger and thumb. The more uniform the seedlings, the better they grow, so avoid large clumps as this will stunt the growth of any that are crammed together.

2010-07-25/BlueFox/2b2448

 

 

You can also mix the seeds in with some other fine material like sand, to make it easier to get a uniform spread. Water gently with a fine sprayer, then cover with a clear plastic dome. I’ve had the Sempervivum and Jovibarba germinate within a week, but have patience, sometimes it takes longer.

Water as needed if the soil mix gets really dry. The important thing is that the air is humid until germination takes place. A light feeding of compost tea once the tiny plants have their second set of leaves will give them some nutrients until they’re big enough to transplant. 

Transplanting: I transplant the tiny plants into 2 inch pots, which will give them enough root room to get a good start. They will stay in the 2 inch pots until the following spring, and they are wintered outside where they get covered in a foot or two of snow to insulate them from temperature fluctuations. Avoid watering them too late in the season, as the action of freezing and thawing on the roots will kill them. They survive much better if they are allowed to dry out a little before winter arrives.

 
Comments and Discussion
Thread Title Last Reply Replies
seed or cutting propagation by cactuscat May 1, 2019 6:17 PM 1
Loved learning from the master of alpine plants by KSKimbrell26 Sep 7, 2018 10:23 PM 1
What an interesting article! by Zanymuse Sep 2, 2010 5:08 PM 6
great article by pdoyle23323 Jul 22, 2010 7:16 PM 1

Explore More:

Member Login:

( No account? Join now! )

Today's site banner is by Zoia and is called "Volunteer"

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.