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"Big Red" Bomarea

Plant your seeds immediately for the best germination rate

Seed pre-treatment -- Soak your seeds in room-temperature water for about 6-10 hours (not more than 18 hours).   After the soak, try to rub off most of the red pulp from the seeds under running water.  Careful not to drop the seeds down the drain!

Use a separate 2-4 inch pot for each seed. Fill each pot with high-quality potting soil, and water it until evenly moist.  Bottled spring water or rain water is best.  Put the seed on top and cover with about 1/4" of soil. Water the top soil until moist. Keep the pot in an area that will stay about 55-70 degrees during the day, and 50-60 at night. This temperature range is important for Bomarea to germinate. Keep the soil surface moist (but not soggy) either by placing a plastic bag over the pots, or by lightly spraying whenever it starts to dry out.  

After 10 weeks, if any seeds don't sprout, move the pots to an area that's 10 degrees cooler, to trick them into thinking it's winter.  If you don't have an area 10 degrees cooler, you can put them in a refrigerator, provided that it's not set too cold (over 39 degrees).  Keep them there for 6 weeks, in a sealed plastic bag. They probably won't sprout there, but check on them weekly just in case. After the 6 weeks, move them into 60-70 degree temps. They should start sprouting after 4-6 weeks, although allow up to 12 weeks for any slow ones. 

Transplanting -- Repot from its starting container as soon as the roots reach the bottom - or when the 2nd shoot appears.  Work your way up to larger pots as it grows, until they're eventually in a 5-15 gallon pot.  Always shade the plant from prolonged sun for a week after transplanting.

Bomarea is sensitive to having its roots disturbed, so transplant carefully.  If you water the plant before transplanting, it will keep the soil ball from falling apart and damaging the roots.  

Soil -- Bomarea likes humus-rich, well-draining soil.  Regular potting soil is okay, or you can add extra compost (well-decomposed) provided that you balance it with extra perlite or pumice rock, for drainage.  Avoid lime, since Bomarea likes slightly acid soil.

Watering -- Bomarea likes soil that's evenly moist, but not soggy.  Tap water can be high in minerals and other chemicals, so i recommend using bottled water or rain water for at least the first few months.  Then you can switch to tap water if you'd like, provided that it isn't filtered with a water-softening filter like Pür or Brita, which add sodium (if the box says "ion exchange filter," avoid it).

I recommend using a moisture meter probe, which you can get from most garden and hardware stores for about $5. You simply stick the probe down to the root level and read the dial.  I water when it's about halfway dry.  Do not let the soil dry out.

Light -- Bomarea comes from the forests, where it gets tree-filtered sun most of the time.  Aim for about 40-50% sun.  Avoid prolonged midday sun exposure, except along the Pacific coast.

Climate -- Bomarea is happiest between 40 and 80 degrees.  The roots can take several degrees of frost, but it will kill the leaves.  It's best to protect the plant from all frost.

It warmer climates, give it plenty of mid-day shade, and don't plant it where heat can collect, like against a sunny wall.  Mulch the plant to keep the roots cool and moist.  Shade the pot to keep it cool, or at least avoid using a black pot, which can overheat.    

Fertilizing --  During periods of active growth, give feedings with ordinary vegetable fertilizer or the equivalent, following the label's recommended dosage carefully.  It's normal for a some the older leaves to yellow and die throughout the year, but if it seems excessive, it could be from not enough fertilizer (nitrogen) or under-watering.  

Up and away -- Bomarea likes to climb, so give it something to play on, like a trellis, fence, or another plant.  It should ideally be under 1" thick, so the plant can twine it's way around easier.  Don't prune your plant (unless a branch dies back), but you can wrap any long strands around your trellis. The flowers appear from the growing tips.   

Pests to watch for -- Snails and slugs can be a problem in prone areas.  Watch for aphids or possibly other bugs.

Feel free to email if you have any questions.

Good growing!

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