The Desert rose is one of my favorite plants to grow and I recently had quit a hard time getting my seeds to germinate. I think it is do to the fact it is winter time and just plain colder now. Even though I have an indoor plant room there is still a lot of difference between summer and winter sowing of seed as I am learning. So a kind man on an adenium group I am on suggested I use the 'paper towel method' to sprout my seeds.
He detailed it out for me and I tried it and it works wonderful and the germination rate is very good using this method. So I am now going to take you step by step through this method of germinating Desert rose seeds! And I hope you have as much fun and success with it as I have.
The first step is choosing a nice plastic container with a lid to make into you germination container. I like to use empty salad mix containers from the grocery store. They are light weight plastic that have a nice tight fitting lid. And they are a clear see through plastic so I can see the progress of the seeds as time goes on.
So once you have your plastic container then we take a sheet of paper towel and fold it in half and place it in the bottom of your container. Then place the seeds on the bottom half of the paper towel. At this point I spray the seeds down with water to hold the to the paper towel, then fold the top half over them and spray the top getting it nice and moist but not dripping wet. Place the lid on the container. Dont forget to label what seeds you are germinating and the date you placed them in the paper towel.
I place my seed in rows so that I can label my container easy on the front as to what seeds I am germinating. I also make a note of how many of each variety of seeds and will later note how many germinated successfully.I want to also note here that you will need to spray the paper towel a couple times a day to keep it nice and moist. So check it ever few hours to see that it does not dry out and DO NOT place t in the sun.
As the seeds sprout they will lift the paper towel and you will see bulges under the paper towel. Go ahead and lift the paper towel and take a peek, you will find nice sprouts growing.
I let mine grow till i see a nice green color then I simply gently pinch the seed case and it come right off exposing the flat first leaves that will open up in a few days. These are now ready for planting, but be careful they grow roots into the paper towel so you need to cut the paper towel around the roots and plant that tiny piece of paper towel along with the seedling. Be sure to bury the paper towel with the root in it, but be very gentle, these tykes are fragile..This one in the next 3 pictures is actually a couple days younger then I like to plant them now, I let them grow a little more in the paper towel and get a bit greener before planting.
And now it is just time to wait for the little plant to grow. Be sure that your seedlings get very strong bright light and stay warm! And do not let them dry out at this age. Enjoy the journey:)
