PBS Forum

I know these are not uncommon and a bit weedy but they sure look great this time of year.

Not sure which species this is...

While visiting the UCSC plant on Saturday the host made a comment that the flower generated its own heat to raise the temperature of the inflorescence to 90 F. 

Do these plants share this biological function that skipped the reptiles? Is it possible that the amount of stored energy and some photosynthesis metabolized during its growth releases enough waste energy as heat?

I tried the water germination method for the Rhodophiala bifidum seeds and as you can see the radicle has emerged from many of the seeds.

Should I wait until the cotyledon shows up or ?

I have had Albuca spirals for several years, all from seed of various sources. Every year they leaf out early, and then flower.

One pot showed little foliage but bloomed nicely which others did nothing.

One pot shows the tip of the bulb missing (no pill bugs or evidence of mice damage to the surface of the media.)

The other image is a crowded seed pot with nothing.

The only change was leaving them outside in the winter.... okay, thats a big change, but I am in Santa Cruz CA along the coast in what is called Sunset zone 17. Too cold?

I am a new member with a full packet of seeds 

I have years of experience with cactus and succulent seed propagation and one of the keys is best time of the to sow them.

I really don't want to list all 20 of the seed packs I have, mostly to avoid someone spending time looking up something that I can (besides this I guess).

thanks

Peter