Pachypodium brevicaule - 5 seeds
Pachypodium brevicaule - 5 seeds
Pachypodium brevicaule is probably the most different species in the genus. The name means literally 'thick-foot, short-stem' and it is! It looks like a blob (sometimes described as a cow-pie) with leaves. It can reach up to 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter and it is rarely over a few inches tall. The flowers are a beautiful clear yellow and are held above the plant. The plants are silver in color and are multi-branched, but these branches usually evidence themselves only as lobes on the overall 'blob' shape.
Before planting Pachypodium, you need to soak the seeds in the water with a temperature of 86°F (30°C). Keep them in water for about 3 hours. The best indicator that the seeds are ready for planting is when most of the seeds sink to the bottom. It’s desirable that the water you soak the seeds in is not chlorinated.
Substrate for germination needs to contain Cactus soil, sand and pebbles (perlite or pieces of brick). Sterilize all the ingredients in a microwave for 3 minutes or in the oven for about 45 minutes on 350°F (180°C). Cool the substrate. You can use fungicide for the sterilization too.
Containers for planting should be deep about 2 inches (5cm). It’s important never to fill them to top, but leave free space of at least half an inch (1 cm). In one container, 2×2 inches (4x4cm) there can be 8 seeds.
Spread a layer of pebbles over the bottom of the container, because it will facilitate the drainage of water surplus. Then pour a layer of Cactus soil, and spray it with a sprayer (you need to see the water coming out of the bottom of the container). Afterwards, add a layer of sand and water it again. You can lay the seed over this layer, it’s just important that it’s put horizontally. You will cover the seed with another thin layer of sand, 0.12-0.20 inches (3-5mm). And then water the sand with a sprayer again.
Cover the container with a transparent foil, bag, glass or something similar, so that the moisture will stay in this container, which is extremely important for germination.
Pick a spot with temperature of 65-75°F (20 i 25°C), well-lit, but don’t expose your plant to direct sunlight.
Germination can start as soon as 5 days after planting, but that can take more time to happen. When most part of the seeds germinates, remove the foil with which you kept the plant moisturized.
Maintain the substrate moist for seedlings and keep them away from direct sunlight for a couple of months.
Young plants will grow relatively fast. When they reach the height of about 1 inch (3cm), you can repot them into individual pots making them the same soil combination you did for planting.