The seeds of ungrafted desert roses produce a gnarled and rustic-looking habit as plants. After that, most fans of this plant see each other. But what do the seeds actually look like? When do they ripen and how do you sow them properly?

The seeds of the desert rose can be harvested in summer

Characteristics of the seeds

In contrast to the extraordinary growth and the colorful flowers, the seeds of the desert rose are rather inconspicuous. You are:

  • elongated
  • narrow
  • light gray to ocher
  • about 1 cm long
  • numerous
  • good germination

Buy from your own harvest or in specialist shops

Already own a desert rose? Then you can use the seeds from your own harvest. After the flowering period is over in mid/late June, the seeds ripen. As a rule, the capsules in which the seeds are located are ripe in July and August at the latest. Upon reaching maturity, the capsules burst and release their contained seeds.

If you don't have your own desert rose yet, you can buy the seeds from specialist retailers. But beware: Only trust in good quality! Otherwise it could be the case that you get seeds that are too long and therefore difficult to germinate. In general, the fresher the seeds are, the better their germination capacity.

Sow the seeds properly

Growing the desert rose from seeds? With these little instructions, the cultivation will definitely work:

  • Time: possible all year round, but at best in spring from March
  • Use seed trays or small pots
  • Fill the seed pot with potting soil
  • Scatter seeds or sow in planting holes no more than 1 cm deep
  • keep slightly moist

If you have placed the seed pot in a warm place - 20 to 25 °C is ideal - and kept the substrate moderately moist, the seeds will, with luck, germinate within a few days.

Usually the last seeds have germinated within 10 days. Only in rare cases does germination take up to 3 weeks. From a size of 10 cm, the seedlings can be repotted.

tips

If you have propagated the desert rose by means of its seeds, you can expect the first blooms in the new spots after 2 years at the earliest.

Category:

Vegetable garden