Boy have I been busy since my last progress post! My seeds from Rolando arrived Mon April 4. I sowed them Tues Eve the 5th. Used an 88 cent foil cake pan 8 x 12 in rectangular that came with a clear plastic cover similar to the dome on my other tray, making divisions with plastic plant labels tilted sideways to separate the types. Made my mix the same except added a little fine Perlite to aid drainage. Poked holes in the bottom of the foil pan for drainage. I did not sow all the seeds and did not make my mix too moist. I sowed half of the x Jamensis Javier, the Guaranitica var Violacea, and the complimentary S Squalens Bright Red that came with my order- only sowed about a third of the new Envy in case of primary dormancy (so I would have enough to sow some again if that happened plus some left over). I think this container allows light to get to the seeds more effectively. I am thrilled to report that as of this evening I have germination on all of the types and near 100%. Even have 2 Javier seedlings completely up and a few Violacea almost (the green seed leaves can be seen)!
As for my first batch, I transplanted them into new mix with perlite last night. I have 4 healthy Guaranitica var Purpurea, and the non leggy Penny's Smile which each were put in the 3 1/2 inch square pots. The 2 leggy Penny's Smile both got damaged so lost them- they were so leggy they were hard to handle. I decided to use a 6 pack of the smaller cells for the 6 Summer Jewel Lavender, putting each centered in its own cell. They were leggy but I was able to plant them with the excess stem below the soil and still have them and their roots straight.
Despite the losses of the first batch I have learned and am pleased with the successes. Am hoping for more success with the second batch.
Pics are- 2 largest Guaranitica var Purpurea, then the 2 smallest of those, next the Penny's Smile, and last the 6 pack of Summer Jewel Lavendar.
