GROW BAT FLOWER SEED

Grow bat plant seed

Germinating Bat plant seeds can be a little hit and miss, so to help it is best to soak them in warm water for 24 hours. The trouble is that warm water has a nasty habit of cooling down but I have a tip for you. Take a thermos flask and fill with water.

Tacca seeds

Throw away 2/3 rds of the water and boil the remainder. As soon as the remainder has boiled put it back into the flask, then fill to within a couple of inches of the top with cold tap water and add the seed. Put the lid on, shake and wait. Twenty four hours later drain the water out through a fine sieve to catch the seeds.

While you are waiting, fill a modular seed tray with a good quality compost such as John Innes 'Seed and Cutting' but add a few handfuls of horticultural grade grit-sand to improve the drainage.

When ready, press the seed into the surface of the compost and cover with a light sprinkling of vermiculite. Next, place inside a heated propagator at a temperature of between 27-30. Place in a bright position but one that does not receive direct sunlight.

Image credit - glenn 130356@googlemail.com

Germination can be erratic taking between 1-9 months so be patient and avoid the temptation of throwing out the seed tray in frustration. Keep the compost moist through the germination period.

Once the Bat plant seedlings have established their root system within the module they can be popped out and potted on into 3 inch pots containing a good quality free draining compost. Try and disturb the root system as little as possible when potting on.

Water regularly over the growing season,  allow the compost to be drier, but not to dry out during the winter.

For related articles click onto the following links:
KEW Bat Flower
THE BAT PLANT
THE WHITE BAT PLANT - Tacca integrifolia