Question
QUESTION: Jeff or Jacob,

I have a question regarding the germination of Roridula dentata. I have some seeds that I will sowing soon and my question to you is...do you think a smoke treatment is necessary or beneficial to germinating these plants? What is your experience in germinating and cultivating Roridula?

Thank you,

Derick

ANSWER: Hi Derick,

I've used smoke disks with good results.  Here's a link to some of those:  http://www.seedman.com/cape.htm  Now having said that, I had some odd results last year.  I germinated a full tray of Roridula gorgonias using the smoke primer disks in early December and had close to 100% germination within 3 weeks.  I did another tray, exactly the same way in January with zero germination.  It was the same batch of seeds we collected from our plants.  Either the seeds have a limited viability, or the photoperiod or temperatures make a difference.  With this experience, I recommend sowing them in late November to early December with a natural daylight period.

Where did you get some R. dentata seeds?  Those are not easy to find.  We have one R. dentata plant, and it's really a trooper.  Definitely the prettier of the two species in my opinion.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.growcarnivorousplants.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hey Jeff,

Thank you for the link to the smoke discs. Its hard to find a reputable source for those. What soil medium did you use for germinating your Roridula gorgonias? What soil mix would you recommend for germinating Roridula dentata?

I got the dentata seeds from another grower. You are definitely right...dentata seeds are hard to come by.

Thank you,

Derick

Answer
Hi Derick,

We use a course sandy mix just like for Drosophyllum.  It's two parts silica sand, one part perlite and one part peat moss.  I'm using a the same mix for Byblis gigantea and Roridula dentata.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.growcarnivorousplants.com