Quick background info: I live in China (not my home country) and I’m pretty new to growing plants from seed. My set up is all indoors inside my apartment.
So I’ve been wanting to grow Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia) from seed. A few weeks ago, I ordered a batch of “BOP seeds” from Yunnan province on Taobao that the seller said would be delayed. A couple weeks later, a package showed up with seeds. I thought it was strange because my order said it had still not been shipped. The seeds also didn’t completely match what I expected. They were:
– Larger
– Smooth, dark, glossy shells
– No orange fuzzy aril
– They also had what looked like a drilled hole at one end
Still, I just assumed they had just forgotten to notify me and pre-removed the aril. I figured that they really were BOP seeds. I scarified lightly (though one end already looked… pre-opened?), soaked them, and put them in my setup:
– Warm apartment (~24–26°C)
– Heat mat underneath (steady ~30°C surface)
– Light, airy seed mix
– Consistent moisture
Here’s where things get weird. The actual BOP seeds I ordered arrived today. I have no idea what seeds I planted a few days ago. I was considering just tossing the media and strange seeds to make room but when I went to check on them today one has germinated and is emerging from the soil. It’s barely been 3 days since I planted it.
My working theory is the seller sent me a gift while I waited but they haven’t responded when I asked them. It’s by far the fastest germination I have achieved.
Any ideas what I might have growing in my apartment? I’ve included photos of the seed before and after soaking and an early emerging germination.
by edumed
8 Comments
No idea what this is OP, but I think this is kinda fun. Keep us posted with updates!!
Looks like a Lotus to me
It could be bowl lotus seeds? They’re a mini variety of lotus I got some seeds for my fishtanks a while ago. They like being in damp/ underwater soil.
https://preview.redd.it/u0xuuaqs6atg1.jpeg?width=1006&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c9f9cda738d9f706a2e81a976af899262d083772
Not my pic but an example I found online
Looking forward for updates
This sounds like a fun bonus. Lucky!
lotus! especially cut like that
100% lotus seeds keep them wet they absolutely hate drying out whatsoever you may even have to submerge them some.
wait that’s actually pretty cool, mystery bonus plant lol. hope it turns into something awesome, please post updates if it starts sprouting