Barclaya longifolia (Green)

[fishmosy]

My barclaya has been producing numerous seed pods over the last few months. The first finally popped a few days ago.

First things first, this is my parent plant.

this is how I collect the seeds. The pods expand slowly until they eventually explode. There are three in the bag. These should explode in the next two weeks.

Here is what the seeds look like

Here comes the good part. In my experience, it will be at least six months before these seeds germinate, so be prepared for a long wait.

The method I use to germinate these seeds is to wait and wait and wait. No seriously, I keep mine submerged (in water) in my fishroom in a bare plastic container on top of a fishtank. I top the water up occasionally to make sure the seeds are always submerged (roughly inch deep). Thats it. Mine tend to start germinating in spring, I suspect it could be a temperature cue.

If you want to try to germinate them quicker, you could try light/dark, drying the seeds out, burying them in soil or heating them up instead of my method of waiting and waiting and waiting. I'm patient so I haven't tried any of these. If anything works, let me know.

Whatever you do, don't throw the seeds away until they either fungus/rot or until they sprout. I waited nine months for the seeds to germinate the first time I collected them. I figured as long as they weren't rotting they would germinate eventually.

Once they germinate, simply plant them into some aquarium soil (I use UpAqua) and away they go.

[ineke]

Beautiful plant. Do you use CO2? I am only just starting to venture into live plants but all the extras just confuse me.

Cheers

Ineke

[fishmosy]

I dont use CO2 but dose ferts and glutaldehyde (see the link). You can make growing plants as difficult or as simple as you like.

http://www.shrimpkeepersforum.com/forum/showthread.php/1941-Dino-Plant-fertilisers-from-Aquagreen

[ineke]

Thanks for that.

[Gbang]

Wow that's fantastic!!! Amazed at how long you wait for these seeds to germinate. Well don't buddy

[fishmosy]

No worries. I'm thinking of adding a general overview on how to grow these guys to this thread so keep an eye out.