Ling YaoYu Sowing Techniques
Abstract: This article introduces the propagation of succulent plants, focusing on Ling YaoYu sowing techniques. Let's take a look together!
Although Ling YaoYu belongs to a different genus than stonecrop, their care methods are similar. However, the sowing techniques for Ling YaoYu are more challenging than for most stonecrop varieties. In extreme cases, either no seeds germinate or most of the seeds that do germinate rot, resulting in very few successful plants. Some people consider sowing Ling YaoYu a daunting task and give up after one or two attempts.
In fact, it is normal for Ling YaoYu to be more difficult to sow than stonecrop. Otherwise, Ling YaoYu would not have evolved to produce a seed pod with many times the number of seeds as stonecrop, aiming for a higher chance of survival through quantity. If the seeds of many stonecrop varieties are plump, it is common for them to have a 100% germination rate and a 100% survival rate. With the right methods, Ling YaoYu can achieve a germination rate of over 60% and a survival rate of over 40%.
Enough chitchat, let's get to the main topic:
1. Seeds. The source must be reliable; please choose a trustworthy seller.
2. Sowing timing. Seeds collected in the spring of the same year are recommended to be sown in the autumn, and sowing the following year is also fine. It is not advisable to sow in the spring. Sowing is safer when the highest temperature drops below 30 degrees Celsius, which is around the end of August in the Huai River Valley. Sowing a few days later is also fine, but by the end of September, the temperature is lower, and germination will be slower.
3. Sowing soil and disinfection. Use half peat and half fine-grained red jade soil, or a bit more peat. The peat should be sifted to remove large chunks and dust, then slightly spray water and mix it with the granular soil in a container. For disinfection, I first put it in a bag and heat it in the microwave, then cool it down before putting it in a pot (with 2-3 cm of coarse red jade soil at the bottom). Use a 7 cm small pot, which can hold 100 or a few fewer seeds. Fill the pot with soil about 1 cm away from the rim, press it flat with something like a domino, then you can sow the seeds. After sowing, immerse the pot in a potassium permanganate solution for 2 hours. I often soak it overnight, and it seems to be fine. The key is the concentration of the potassium permanganate solution, which should be around 0.001. It is now difficult to buy powdered potassium permanganate, reportedly to prevent misuse. You can crush the tablets and dissolve them in cold water, preferably cool boiled water.
4. Sowing method. Students with good eyesight and a strong neck can plant individually. Otherwise, broadcasting is recommended. Sieve some fine red jade soil particles, which can be the same size or smaller than the seeds. Mix them with the seeds at a ratio of three to five times the volume of the seeds. Then you can scatter them with your hand! I strongly recommend using small pots, with 200 seeds sown in three pots to avoid sowing all in one large pot. Don't put all your eggs in one basket——
5. Moisture retention. After the pot is soaked, slightly control the water and gently place the pot in a sealed bag. The bag should be 6-8 silk threads thick, not too thick, and slightly larger in diameter than the pot to prevent it from standing unstable. Place it in a well-ventilated area with diffused light and do not open the bag randomly to peek. The seeds will germinate at different times, some may take two to three months, so there is no need to worry. Ling YaoYu sowing requires more patience. Every 10 days or so, check the germination through the bag. When you get the feeling of "grass color far to see but near to nothing," you can open the bag to count the number of seedlings. If about 50% have germinated, you can gradually open the bag, removing it completely after a few days. After that, keep the soil moist, slightly dry on the surface, and quickly immerse the pot or spray water with a fine spray bottle. Do not over-wet, and keep the soil moist until the spring before shedding.
6. Management after germination. Place the newly germinated seeds in a well-lit area. When the sun is not too strong, you can let them bask in the sun through the glass. If it feels too strong, you must use a shade before exposing them to the sun, as seedlings the size of grains are most prone to rotting. In winter, if necessary, you can use a heating mat for reptiles.
The above-sharing of Ling YaoYu sowing techniques is for reference only.