"Grape Soda Bush"
Germinating the seeds
Plant your seeds when you receive them for best germination. Pre-treatment -- Scrape each seed several times over coarse sandpaper or a nail file several times to scratch the hard seed coat, so water can enter easier. Next fill a small cup with around 2 ounces (60mL) of very warm tap water (not scalding hot) and place the seeds in it. Keep the cup in a warm spot. Within a day or two, the seeds will swell to about twice their size, and when they do, remove them and plant them as described later. If any seeds don't swell within 48 hours, repeat the scraping & soaking process but use hotter water. You can repeat the process a second time after 48 hours for any seeds that don't swell, but use double the water and hotter water. If any seeds don't sprout after 48 hours, plant them anyway. Plant them in small containers at least 2 inches (5 cm) tall with drainage holes. Use a well draining soil mix. A typical mix is 2 parts quality potting soil to 1 part perlite or coarse horticultural sand. An alternate mix is 1 part coir fiber to 1 part perlite (use small- or medium-size perlite, not large chunks), with some granular fertilizer mixed in. Fill the pots with the mix, place a seed on top, cover with 1/4 inch (6 mm) of soil, and water until evenly moist (but not fully saturated). They germinate well between about 68 and 77 degrees F (20-25°C). A little cooler at night is ok. Avoid letting them get above 80° F (27°C) for prolonged periods. I recommend placing a minimum/maximum thermometer near the pots. If you enclose the pots in a plastic container to maintain moisture, leave it open slightly to prevent stem rot later. Most of the seeds should sprout within about 4 weeks, but may take up to 10 weeks. Once they sprout, give them bright light, but protect them from strong direct sun the first 2 months. A bright LED or panel kept 3 inches (8 cm) away provides the right amount of light (See: "Growing indoors with LED lights"). Watering -- Keep the soil evenly moist (but not soggy). Fertilizing -- The first 2 months, feed every 2 weeks with a small amount of dilute (1/8 strength) liquid fertilizer. Hydroponic fertilizer is ideal for small seedlings, because it is easily absorbed and contains all essential nutrients. After 2 months, you may switch to a granular fertilizer that contains micronutrients, following the dosage on the package. Growing onward -- Climate -- It comes from a climate where days are mild and nights are cool. It's untested in warmer climates, but it's possible that it won't thrive if temperatures regularly get warmer than about 85° F (29°C) and nights are warm (above 65°F / 18°C). In warm conditions, keep the pots shaded, perhaps by placing them inside a second pot made of clay, filling in any extra space with soil. Increase the sun exposure gradually as they grow bigger until they are eventually in several hours of sun. Mature plants could probably survive a few degrees of frost, but it's best to protect them from all frost, especially the first 2 years. Pests to watch for - I have never noticed pests on them, but watch for any pests that may affect your other plants. Have fun growing them! - Jeff Strange Wonderful Things
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