Sowing Date: Seeds may be sown in January, March or August. All will work providing stratification protocol is followed. Plants from March 26, 2000 seeding were still only 1/2 inch tall in November. January sowing appears to allow the most first season growth.
% Emergence and Date: Germination occurred at about 20% after removal from cooler and return to warm greenhouse temperatures. This was approximately 3 months after sowing.
Sowing/Planting Technique: Seeds were sown by hand over surface of media and then lightly drenched with fungicide (Triathlon was used). Trays were covered with plastic domes or clear plastic to prevent the media surface from drying. During the first 30 days, seed trays were kept under 24 hour fluorescent light in greenhouse with alternating day/night temperatures. Seed trays were then given a fungicidal drench, covered with clear plastic and cool stratified @ between 45 and 50ºF for 60 days. After cool stratification, seed trays were returned to the greenhouse and placed under mist until well-germinated. They were treated for fungus gnats as needed. The newly germinated seedlings seem to tolerate extended periods of mist without much adverse effect.
Establishment Phase: Seedlings are very slow growing. During establishment, it is important to keep the soil surface evenly moist. Do not allow media to remain saturated, dry out or develop a surface crust. Fungus gnats can become a problem and larval feeding may damage seedling roots, therefore treatment may be necessary. Seedlings are transplanted after 4 - 7 months in germination trays into a sand/peat or media/peat mixture in 72 trays or 2” pots. Plugs are fertilized infrequently (as needed) with a water-soluble fertilizer for acid-loving plants at recommended rates.