So last month I got 15 Adenium seeds on eBay (this is my lesson learned!) and I did everything correctly as far as I can tell:

--sterilized sprouting mix (same I use for Avonia, Trichocaulon, Dinteranthus, and Lithops)
--sterilized water (same I use for the above)
--heating pad at 82º but in practice it ranges from about 76º to about 84º
--covered by a clear lid and monitored for humidity daily

It has been over 2 weeks with no signs of life so I gently dug around and found all the seed coats empty and weak having just turned to mush.

My lesson here: don't buy seeds from eBay. I got them from an individual in the US and they (allegedly) came from her own plant. I think she had good intentions and I did too, but it obviously didn't matter. I'm not devastated or anything, I just want to share my experience.

If there's anything I could have done differently, please let me know.

Also, if there's any place I can buy only a few seeds (10 or so) cheaply, please let me know. I don't care about flower type/color/variety. I just wanted to try my hand at this. So if I try again I'm not gonna spend very much given my track record. Womp, womp. lol

Thank you for sharing Jai. I just bought some seeds from a random ebay seller. I'm a bit nervous now. Who was your sellet?

@Jai_Ganesha
There are several Adenium Facebook groups where you can buy quality seeds. I understand that we want to give our seedlings the best possible growing conditions but with all due respect why make everything so complicated? Adeniums & Plumerias don't need anything special and or sterile. Simply germinate them in a paper towel (moist them with regular tap or drinking water) in temperature above 65F. Once they have germinated plant them in a fast draining (coco coir, compost & pumice) mix. Hope it helps.

From what I've read, the seed has to be fresh. These aren't tomatoes. I don't know HOW fresh is viable.

The fresher the better but if they are stored under good conditions they should be viable two years or perhaps even longer. (My experience. Might vary depending on your climate).

ctcarol said:From what I've read, the seed has to be fresh. These aren't tomatoes. I don't know HOW fresh is viable.

My seeds from KO eBay store have been great. All these seedlings from KO.
Very high germ rate. I would say 7 or 8 out of ten for me.