Mitragyna Speciosa seed germination

[Bongo]

Method 1
Seeds were placed on 3 layers of moist kitchen paper in a small sealed Tupperware box sterilized with antifungal washing up liquid and 98C water. The first layer of kitchen paper was crinkled up in the hand, misted with pre boiled, dechlorinated & cooled tap water, the other two layers were then laid flat on top of the first layer and misted, seeds were sprinkled on top and misted with water and the lid was replaced.
They were misted every day & kept at about 40c by means of a hot water bottle with 75C water in it, this was then wrapped in a blanket, the box was placed on top of the hot water bottle and then everything was covered in 5 layers of thick blankets. This kept the seeds warm 24 hours a day.
The seeds germinated about 10 days later and were carefully removed from the kitchen paper with sharpened disposable chopsticks and inserted slightly under the soil in a light tropical soil mix, put into a large clear and sterile plastic box with a fluorescent daylight light on them.
Method 2
Seeds were sprinkled lightly on top of a moist tropical soil mix, misted and put into the same box with the already germinated seeds and kept warm.
Although, I now hear that it is best to slight press the seeds into the soil with something like the bottom of a sterile glass.
6 Days later they germinated.

Seeds on kitchen paper

Seeds germinating 10 Days later

Setup



Hope this helps

[Bongo]

I was asked for advice on propagating these seeds by a member so, I am posting the latest update.
The seedlings have started putting out their second set of leaves which I think are really the 1st real leaves.
Seedlings are still in the large plastic box with temp ranges from 15-30C and 60% humidity. I am leaving the lid off for an hour or so a couple of times a day to prevent the dreaded Damping Off disease.
Seems to be working with no visible signs of the white fluffy fungus on the soil. Perhaps this is because this soil has charcoal chips in it which from what I hear helps prevent damping off.

[JojobaFruit]

let us know when you have some updates.

[Bongo]

Will post updated information as it occurs.
Not much going on right now as spring starts to get a foothold.
These plants really need a stable 25C temp to grow much and the 8-10C overnight temp we have here right now is slowing growth.
Anyone else had success with Fracts seeds?

[VajraPirate]

Yes. The seedpod only had about 5-10 seeds in it, but I've got two sprouts so the seeds are definately viable. I'm just dissappointed there weren't as many seeds in it as I had expected. Not fracts fault though. The seedpod was completely intact and he would have had no way of knowing exactly how many were inside.

[Bongo]

That's odd only 10 seeds in a pod.
There must have been 60 or more in the one I used.

Did you propagte them on kitchen paper or soil?
Hopefully you will find more that germinate later.
Any pics of the sprouts?

[VajraPirate]

I agree it is odd.

Seeds were planted in regular potting soil, misted, then covered with a ziplock a couple inches under some flouros.

I have no idea how to post pics on this board though. Afraid I'm not too computer savvy.

[Bongo]

Did you actually plant them beneath the soil or just sprinkle them on the surface.
I believe it is best to not cover them with soil.

Try and resist overwatering them and don't mist them as that can cause the damping off white fluffy mold disease.
I used a dropper to drop a couple of drops of boiled and cooled water right next to the roots if they looked to dry.
You may need something with more room in it than a ziplock now or they can get the disease quick.
I leave the top off that box you can see, a couple of hours a day to let excess moisture out.

[Bongo]

Their first set of leaves seem to really gow fast.
Just wondering when to start fertilizing them.

[Bongo]

Not much sign of any dramatic growth going on although they are getting slighly larger and it appears that they are about to put out their second set of real leaves while at the same time the original seedling leaves seem to be drying up. I take it that this is a normal state of affairs?

Hey Shiner, how are your seedlings doing?

[JojobaFruit]

any updates. ? i would post some pics of mine but they are soo soo slow growing and just barely seeing the second set of leaves.

[Stonehenge]

Jojoba, why don't you answer email anymore? I wrote you several times over the last few weeks with no reply.

[JojobaFruit]

Hey man sorry that email is over quota and i cant get anymore emails. Just recently found this out. Hit me up with a pm here.
Peace

[Bongo]

Mmm, seems that Mitragyna Speciosa seeds retain their viability a little more than I thought.
Five days ago, I sowed the remaining pod of seeds I had which I received in February 3 months ago, I just looked and most of them have germinated.
Seeds germinating 3 months on.


Seedling at 3 months. Roll on summer.

[Stonehenge]

Looks great, Bongo