Print

[plantlight]

So I found that the Uniflora has a long history of medicinal and magical uses according to the book"The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs" by Leslie Taylor, ND:
http://www.rain-tree.com/manaca.htm

I'm starting this new thread under "growing questions and answers" as the other was under "requests" and I wanted to add additional information.  It just seemed inappropriate to continue in the requests forum.

Original post: http://sharetheseeds.me/forum/index.php?topic=3761.msg28265#msg28265

Reposting photo of 3 species I've collected so far: Magnifica, Pauciflora, and Uniflora:

5 Likes Greentoe, MadPlanter, EIRN, MirlitonVine and nikshaz like this.

[plantlight]

Purchased a 3 gallon plant called b.grandiflora by the vendor.  I am now trying to prove it.  The longest leaf I've measured is 8 1/2" long.  This is at least in the range of 8-12 " given here.  http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fp077

I've taken 4 cuttings and am trying to root them.  Rooting 2 in water and the other 2 in soil.

4 Likes Greentoe, modern, mj and nikshaz like this.

[nikshaz]

How's the brunfelsia going? Any difficulties?

[plantlight]

No difficulties with the mother plant as it is doing well and has some new growth.  Hasn't put out any 12" leaves yet though.  Difficulties are with rooting cuttings.  Do you know how to root cuttings from it?

The first four I tried were kept in high humidity which seems wasn't good for them as they never looked good.  I currently have 2 more in water outdoors under the breezeway and they seem to be very content.  Going on 2 weeks now but no roots yet.  I plan to  make cuttings available once I know how to root them.

[Bach]

How about air layering? That can be made to work with most anything.

1 Like plantlight likes this.

[plantlight]

How about air layering? That can be made to work with most anything.

I agree.  If simple rooting techniques won't work,  I'll try air layering. 

[nikshaz]

I think there are different approaches to air layering. I would take off the outer hard wood and get to the softer wood possibly making cuts into the softer wood so roots would form out of the cuts? I may be wrong but a trial and error wouldn't hurt.

I cut off 6 hard wood cuttings from my hibiscus and took off the outer hard wood and stuck them into perlite with minimal soil. I successfully rooted 1 out of them all and had them in high humidity.

1 Like plantlight likes this.

[plantlight]

Cuttings died.  Air layering next with photos.

[plantlight]

I think airlayering Brunfelsia is going to work.  Only tried this once before and on Azaleas but it was a success.  The airlayered cuttings have looked hydrated in the morning but wilted in the afternoon for the past 2 days.  However, today, 2 of the cuttings were hydrated both morning and evening and appear very healthy.

Pics taken 3 days ago:
1 - Stem cut 1/2 way through and sliced a bit to split it.  Wood shaving inserted to hold split apart and prevent healing.
2 - Moist sphagnum moss placed around cut and held in place with clear plastic from a storage bag.
3 - Wired together and clipped to a wooden stake for stabilization.

Since the cuttings seem able to survive,  I'm expecting roots to form at the cut and be visible through the clear plactic cover. 

2 Likes modern and nikshaz like this.

[modern]

Good luck man. Try a simple bubbler system to root them.

Regarding the leaf size perhaps it is light intensity dependent? I've noticed lots of psychotria nervosa leaves get quite large in deep shade whereas full sun are much smaller.

2 Likes plantlight and nikshaz like this.

[nikshaz]

Sweeeeeet.

1 Like plantlight likes this.

[plantlight]

Update:  4 weeks in and 3 of the 4 cuts are living but no sign of roots yet.

[plantlight]

Well, I decided to check the other 2 today and found that 1 of them was rooted.

Separated it from the mother and potted it in some moist sphagnum.  I'll give it a couple days to make sure it's able to survive on its own then it's off to a new home. 

2 Likes modern and nikshaz like this.