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[Roze]

Hi guys,

 I've been trying to germinate Ephedra s. a couple of time without success... there's plenty of information on-line about the germination but most of them is contradictory...

Apparently freshness is important, seeds with more than 1 year the germination rate drops to 5% (Maybe this is the cause of my failure...)

Perhaps some of you can tell me your personal experience with this specie, or maybe add an growing guide..( we don't have any information on the forum)

Thank you!

[MadPlanter]

I got good sprouts from a regular potting soil with extra perlite. I did the sprouting in a humidity box to keep the soil evenly moist as best I could. Sprouted great but all died off shortly after from damping off I guess. Couldn't keep them alive. The last survivor I tried acclimating to regular air but it still died shortly after.

Sorry can't help much more than that. Would like to give it another go myself if anyone has extra seeds!

Peace

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[Roze]

Thank you for your help!

I'll try this method:
 1.) soak in 24 h in warm water
 2.) Sprinkle seeds on a slightly damp, airy, loose soil mix
3.) Use a humidity dome
4.) Keep environment humid and warm (75-80 degrees)
5.) Place in a bright area, filtered light

Treat similar to a cactus, dry and warm. Lightly water once in awhile 

wish me luck!

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[Roze]

That method works!

This is a seedling with 2 weeks: 

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[fairdinkumseeds]

I recommend using a pot that is slightly too deep so you can add more soil to it as they grow. (if needed)
Mine always push their way out of the soil and fall over. 
It sinks a deep root, but if it hits a rock or bark chip it just pushes the whole plant out of the ground.
Had that issue with the whole family.

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[Roze]

Thanks for the useful advice!

I have that problem with the small P. harmala seedlings.. every 3 days I have to add some soil, now I know that I should pay more attention to this baby to!

I didn't knew that the E. Sinica roots were so sensitive

[muze801]

I've got a few of these going right now; they seem to be doing well and are starting to take off now (about 4 weeks after first signs germination).  I made a soil mix that was probably overkill on the number of ingredients but had fun making it anyway   

I put in (approx. by vol):
Commercial cactus mix (4 parts)
Sand (3 parts)
Perlite (2 parts)
Some azomite (0.5 parts)
and diatomaceous earth (0.5 parts)

Since I had read that these can be difficult to start I decided to put a handful of seeds in 4 different containers (a 2.5 in. square plastic pot, one long cardboard tube from a paper towel roll, and 2 more shorter tubes)and put two of each above my fridge and by a window.  One on the fridge was the first to pop up but by then the window temp was probably up around the same so it didn't seem to matter. 
The germination rate was fairly low (I sowed 24 seeds and got 5 to pop but lost one whilst trying to move it). 
Attached are the seedlings as they are today

I've got a few seeds left and since I read that their viability drops pretty quickly with age, I'll happily send a handful to anyone interested and willing to get them into some soil pretty quickly

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