Fuchsia seed?

[Tig]

Bored of Staffordshire writes

Another experiment underway today - I have decided to try and get some fuchsia seed from this years efforts and see if I can get them to germinate.

I have taken several ripe pods off the Royal Mosaic and carefully squished (technical term) them to reveal the seeds which are now drying (they are tiny!)

I also got a few off the thalia types but they are even smaller and may not be viable - I will let you know how I get on.

If anyone has any experience in this area any advice greatly appreciated as always

x Tig

[Missredhead]

sounds good to me 'Bored of Staffordshire' (what a mouthful!)

I have only ever tried to grow fushias from cuttings. I say 'tried' cos I've never been that successful, once they have died down over the winter they seem to forget to come back again!
The bushes that they come from (my cousins) seem to thrive.
Must be me.

[Tig]

OK send in the men in white coats

The seeds were dry and after removing the debris this is what I had from the royal mosaic .. (half pencil as an aid to size)



and a close-up of the thalia types, which were like ground pepper (dried pods included!) ..



These are definitely a seed not to sow when you have a cold, one sneeze and they would be gone!

They are in seed compost with perlite on top to keep them warm



and now have a propagator lid over them, after being watered from the bottom.

I'll let you know if I get any babies

[Missredhead]

Dear Bored of Staffordshire.....
Gosh they are tiny aren't they?

Hopefully you will become a Mama to lots and lots of little babies....won't be so bored then will you?

[Tig]

I'm not counting my chickens yet Missy - they have to hatch first

[Ladygardener]

Any signs of life there yet Tig.

[bagpuss]

Hi Tig

By the looks of things you may not find this useful, but thought I would post anyway. I'm interested to see how you get on, as I have often wondered about giving it a go. I've only done two cuttings, which have been successful from my Lottie Lady (I think that's right) and those I did by pinning a non-flowering stem down into a pot of compost until roots appeared.

www.bonsaigarden.net/growing_fuchsia_from_seed.html

[Tig]

Not a sign yet lng - thanks for the link Bagpuss, I had them in direct sunlight, so I have moved them

It is only for fun though - just an experiment to amuse myself

[andy]

I have seen the seeds for sale possibly from T&M in the past so it is possible. Good luck Tig

[Tig]

Well no sign of any life yet Although some of the asiatic lily seeds I found in the garden and wrapped in damp kitchen paper have germinated - I've transplanted them into the fuchsia seed trays, that way I can't forget to water them

x Tig

[Dutchy]

As long as you know which seedling is which ;D

Erm little thingy do the Fuchsia seeds not get too wet when you water the asiatic lilies ?

[Tig]

Quite possibly Dutchy - but I am watering from the bottom, and the lily seedlings are off and running - quite a surprise how quick they have grown! I wonder if they come true to the parent plant or if they will have crossed with some of the other colours I have? Oooooh its exciting having new babies ;D

I need to see if I can find out how long it takes them to flower from seed

x Tig

[Ladygardener]

Tig www.theseedsite.co.uk is great for germination times and seed descriptions etc..
www.theseedsite.co.uk/db16.html

[Tig]

Thanks lng

I did have a google and they can, given the right treatment, flower in year two ;D

And they may be a 'surprise' in terms of colour!! But --- they may be rubbish!

x Tig

[Missredhead]

Did they ever germinate Tig?

[Tig]

Not a sossidge Missy! Probably would have done better sowing in spring

x Tig

[Rosefriend]

Has anyone had any experience with F2 Fuchsia seeds??

www.victoriananursery.co.uk/flower_seeds/fuchsia_seed/

RF