I was so excited reading all of the posts and seeing the beautiful adeniums, I ordered a bunch of seeds online from different vendors!

I am ordering materials online in preparation for the seeds. I was wondering if you soak your seeds? If so, for how long? Do you include fertilizer or hydrogen peroxide in the soak? If so, what type/brand of fertlizer do you use?

I am mixing coco coir with perlite and a bit of organic compost (A Youtuber posted this as his media formula for adeniums). Does that sound good?

Thank you in advance!
Kate

Hi Kate,

I do soak my seeds for 1 - 2 days in a bowl of purified/filtered water with several drops of H2O2 added. This eliminates unwanted mold/bacteria on seeds and gives a good germination rate. Please do not include fertilizer...will be harmful to embryo.

Coco coir, perlite, and compost mix sounds good. As to ratio of each part, it's usually an individual's preference based on experience; but certainly make sure water runs through the mix freely. @tarev @drdawg and others have more knowledge and experience in this area than I do.

Please post pictures of your progress. We would love to know how you are coming along in your new adventure.

Oh, I am bad with seed growing, so I do not dare attempt it anymore.

@drdawg and @chris1948 I believe has done it.

I forgot the focus was on seed-growing and had jumped ahead to the media used to transplant seedlings into.

Kate, for seed starting, I recommend using sterile packaged seed starting media.

I did some seeding out about 3 years ago. Those seeds came from my own plants, obtained in late Winter and sown out in April.
I simply prepared a fairly flat dish (with drainage holes) with commercial Cactus soil mix and spread out the seeds as they were. I added a fine cover over the whole thing by rubbing some of the soil between my hands over the flat. I sprayed some water on it and also kept it just a bit damp for the next few weeks. I don't remember how long it to germinate, but it was fairly quick, I think about a week, but I don't want to swear to this and I remember a ca. 95 % germination rate. I should mention that I did this in my very sunny greenhouse with good ventilation, so I wasn't worried about mold. As soon as temperatures outside were warm enough, I moved the cute seedlings on to the deck.
Nothing fancy....

@Ursula, your method and use of cactus soil mix sounds good. Cheaper than seed starting mix I bet.

I'm going to have to stretch my memory here. Even though it was only 2yrs ago that I started mine If I remember what I did was take a seed tray and drilled a number of small holes in the bottom. Filled the tray with seed starting mix and perlite, I remember it was on sale so I had bought a bunch of bags at WM. I then filled another tray with water and set this one down inside it to allow the seed mix to wick the water up through the holes. Once it was pretty well soaked I laid down the seeds and lightly covered them with another layer of seed starting mix. Here's a couple of photos of mine when they were just starting. I have quite a few more photos that showed their progress but you get the idea. Just remember to keep the growing medium good and damp.

I use equal parts of vermiculite, perlite, and seed-starter media. I do not fertilize and I do not soak my seeds. I just started some of my "Green Giant" seeds in two 18" drainage saucers, with 3/8" holes drilled in the bottom to ensure drainage. I lightly watered and then covered those saucers with Saran Wrap. They reside on my porch and get some late afternoon sun. This was done 4 days ago and no germination is evident.

Kate, you mentioned in your other post that your adenium seeds are sprouting. Yay! Please post pictures. We love seeing new babies.

Oh my goodness!!! I just now saw all of your message Still getting used to the forum. Darnit!!! Thank you for your responses. I planted the seeds and yes they are sprouting in 60% Coco coir, 20% Perlite, 20% Compost. I soaked some and did not soak the rest. I bought these seeds cheap from a US ebay vendor and am getting 50% sprouting so far from soaked and unsoaked. It's been about 5 or 6 days.

I realize they are spaced a bit too close to one another. I did this in my excitement

I posted the photos here. There is one seedling that is WHITE. You can see it in the 2nd photo. Does anyone know what is going on with that one?

Also, I got a skinny little mushroom in one of my bowls. I plucked it out...too moist I guess? What can or should I do about that?

Your input is most appreciated.

The seeds were spaced okay. Close community planting in the crib mutually benefits the seedlings. This is because of the mycorrhizal activity between seedlings.

Albino and pink sprouts are quite common. But they do not develop further since they cannot process chlorophyl due to its genetic abnormality. They will die within a few days of sprouting.

Mushroom fungi growth is a sign of good soil conditions, so just pluck them out when seen. Cinnamon powder will eradicate fungi, but it will also kill the beneficial mycorrhizal fungi as well as the good bacteria in the soil. This is why I don't use cinnamon to treat my plants.

~Kadie

I use cinnamon but only when I cut a plant. That may be an orchid when I divide it or remove a damage area, or a plumeria, when I take cuttings to root them. I just sprinkle the cinnamon over the cut surface.