I attended a plant propagation workshop a couple of months ago focusing on the germination of seeds from various fynbos (plants forming part of the Cape Floristic Kingdom): Protea, Leucadendron, Leucospermum, Watsonia, and Erica. A veritable greatest hits medley of Western Cape flora.
I live in Cape Town, hence the connection.
It can be quite tricky to germinate fynbos (literally translated, 'fine bush') as many species are fire-adapted, otherwise the germination rate is very low. I went in not expecting to have any success, but wanted to learn a bit more.
Went away for a week recently, and when I came back I noticed one of the Protea repens had germinated! Two of the Watsonia pillansii had germinated a little earlier, but I've since spotted two more.
Not terribly successful germination rate, but much better than I had expected!
You can mimic natural fire conditions by using something like Super Smoke Plus, a germination stimulant that you dissolve in water. I was kinda hoping we'd be burning some shiz, but I suppose that makes the workshop a little more challenging to organise. Anyways.
by dancon_studio
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