Home	Strange Wonderful Things Rare and exotic plants & seeds

Cavendishia bracteata

Germinating the seeds

 Getting started -- Use small containers or cups that have drainage holes.

 This plant prefers a loose, well-draining soil that is high in organic matter.  A good mix to germinate them in is 3 parts perlite to 2 parts coir fiber or peat, with some slow-release fertilizer mixed in.  An alternate mix is 1 part sterilized potting soil to 1 part perlite.  Do not add lime, since this plant likes slightly acid soil.  Screen the mix of any large pieces.

 Fill the pots with the mix and water it so it is uniformly moist (but not soggy).  Place 1-2 seeds on top and drip some water on them to send them into the cracks in the soil.  Light seems to aid germination, so don't bury them in soil.

 Until the seeds sprout, ensure that the surface soil doesn't dry out.  A plastic bag or dome may be used to maintain high humidity, but leave it open a crack to allow some fresh air in.  You may need to drip a few drops of water on the surface each day.

 The ideal temperature for germination is about 65 to 74 degrees F (18-23°C).  A little cooler at night is ok.  Avoid letting the seeds get above 76° F (24°C) for prolonged periods.  I recommend placing a minimum/maximum thermometer near the pots.  Keep them in a bright spot out of direct sunlight.

 The seeds should start germinating in 4 to 6 weeks and continue for a month.  Cooler temperatures may slow germination.

Lighting -- Once the seeds sprout, give bright shade, or filtered sunlight.  Avoid prolonged, direct sunlight until the plants are several months old.  A fluorescent bulb kept a few inches (10 cm) away provides the right amount of light.

Watering -- Continue keeping the soil surface moist the first 3 weeks, but increase air circulation a bit more, to avoid stem rot.  Try not to get water on the leaves while the seedlings are tiny.  

 After 3 weeks, you can let the soil surface dry out, but aim to keep the soil evenly moist most of the time.  Don't let it dry out completely, but don't keep it perpetually soggy either.  If your tap water is very alkaline or "hard", meaning high in minerals, it's best to use bottled water or rainwater.

Climate -- The plant is usually found in the tropics between 1500 and 2500 meter elevation, where temperatures are milder than the lowlands.  I suspect that it might not thrive if temperatures are consistently above the low 80s (28°C) and nights are warm.  It reportedly is hardy down to 20°F (-7°C), but i would be very cautious about exposing it to hard frosts.

 The humidity should be above about 40-50%.  Indoors, if the humidity is too low, consider using an ultrasonic room humidifier, which you can buy at home-improvement stores and thrift shops.

Transplanting -- Wait until the plants are at least 3 months old before repotting.  Water the soil before transplanting, to keep the soil ball from breaking apart, which can damage the roots.  A good soil mix to use is 1 part fine-grade orchid bark, 1 part perlite or coarse sand, and 1 part coir fiber or peat.

Fertilizing --  This species has average fertilizer needs.  Feed about every 2 months with a slow-release (pelleted or organic) fertilizer.

 If the older leaves turn yellow, the soil may not be moist enough down in the root zone, or the plant may need more nitrogen fertilizer.

Have fun growing them!

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