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Pink Puya

Puya dyckioides

Puya is easy to germinate. Any small containers can work, provided that they have drainage holes. 

I recommend using fast-draining soil, such as a mix of 1 part potting soil to 1 part perlite.  Fill each container almost to the top with soil.  After filling the containers, water the soil so that it is uniformly moist, but not soggy. Place 1 or 2 seeds on top, and sprinkle a very thin layer of soil on top - just enough to barely cover the seeds, because the seeds need light to germinate. Moisten the top of the soil carefully. 

Until the seeds sprout, ensure that the surface soil does not dry out, perhaps by putting the pots in a propagation dome or plastic bag (with one or two holes for fresh air). You may need to drip a few drops of water every day or 2 to keep the surface soil moist.

Keep the pots at about 65-75 degrees F (18-24°C), in bright light out of direct sun.  A fluorescent bulb a hand's length away provides the right amount of light.  If you use a heating mat, check the soil's temperature to ensure that doesn't get too warm.

The seeds should start sprouting within 4 weeks, but allow up to 8 weeks for any slow ones.  Once the seedlings are 4 weeks old, begin letting the soil surface dry out between waterings.  

Lighting -- Give your seedlings bright light, but avoid strong sun for the first few months.  Then gradually give them more sun, until eventually they are in a half day of sun, with some protection from hot afternoon sun.  After about 8 months they should be ready for full sun, except in hot climates, where they should have a little afternoon shade.

Watering:  Aim to keep the soil lightly moist most of the time.  Avoid letting the soil completely dry out, but don't let it stay soggy either.  And of course don't let the pots sit in a tray of water. 

Fertilizing -- If your potting soil contains fertilizer, your seedlings shouldn't need feeding the first 4 weeks.  Then you may feed every 6 weeks, using an all-purpose fertilizer at 1/8 the recommended dose, increasing to 1/4 strength once the seedlings are 9 months old.

Transplanting -- Repot your plants to a larger container whenever the roots start circling around the bottom of the container, or after 3-4 months old.  After a few years, it should be ready for a 5 gallon pot.  A colony of plants will need a larger container.  Use cactus soil when you repot.  Water the soil well before repotting to keep the soil ball from breaking apart, which can damage the roots.  For the first 2 weeks repotting, protect from strong sun and give no fertilizer.

Climate -- Protect your plants from frost for at least the first winter or two.  Also keep them fairly dry during the winter, unless temperatures are above freezing.  They will bloom the soonest if protected from frost.  During the summer, it's best to give them some afternoon shade if temperatures get above 90 degrees F (32°C).  

By the way, the leaves will develop a white powder on them.  This is normal!

Have fun growing them!

Jeff

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