p. C. BOYCE, 2007 145 Germinating Aroid Seeds - Some Observations

Peter C. Boyce Malesiana Tropicals Suite 4, Level 9, Tun Jugah Tower No. 18 Jalan Abdul Rahman 93000 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia [email protected]

INTRODUCTION quickly once the seed is cleaned of the berry pulp and so the seed should remain The following notes are based on more in the berry until ready to sow. If seed must than 20 years growing aroids from seed in be removed from the berry then it is vital Europe and a further four years doing the that it remains damp but not wet. Placing same in the everwet equatorial tropics of the seed in a folded, moistened kitchen East Malaysia. These notes reflect personal paper towel (not toilet paper, which breaks experience gained from trial and error - down when wet) inside a plastic bag kept mostly the latter - but with records made all the while on what failed and what, very in a cool room is a good temporary storage occasionally, worked but are in no way medium. intended to be neither comprehensive nor equivocal. Cleaning The cleaning methods will VaIY depend­ General ing on whether the seed is medium to large, Whether sowing seeds in a pot on the or small. For medium or large seeds windowsill in the temperate parts of the (e.g., Alocasia, Aglaonema, Amorphophal­ world or in trays in the tropics, the crucial Ius, etc.) that are easy to handle they first starting point is fresh seed. Aroid seed is for need be removed and cleaned of any the greater part recalcitrant (does not surrounding beny. The simplest method is withstand storage) and stored seed (that is to squash the berries gently onto kitchen to say commercially bought) very soon paper towel and then separate the seeds loses viability. from the pulp and any seed membrane. The seed membrane tightly adheres to the seed. Buying seed Its presence is detectable by the seed feeling slippery. Gently working the seed between Seed from commercial seed houses thumb and index finger will remove the generally gives poor to non-existent ger­ membrane, after which the seed will often mination, especially seed of species with feel very slightly rough. It is vital that this little or no endosperm, which includes cleaning is done wearing latex gloves - the Aglaonema. All seed should be purchased fruit pulp of almost all aroids ranges from inside the still-fleshy berry. Dried seed (in mildly to highly irritant. Gently rinse the seed or out of the berry) will have a low to non­ in a nylon sieve and dry on kitchen paper existent viability rate due to the problems towel for a minute or two to ease handling. of storing aroid seed. Small seeds, aside from being fiddly to handle, have the additional problem that Storage inside each berry the numerous seeds are Aroid seed stores poorly and dried seed embedded in very viscous gel which is will have a very low viability rate. For best water insoluble and thus difficult to re­ results seed must be sown as fresh as move. The easiest method is to put the possible. Seed viability falls extremely berries into a plastic beaker full of water, 146 ARO IDEA NA , Vol. 30

Fig. 1. Tray suitable fo r seed sowing in the everwet tropics. macerate them w ith the fingers anel then large seeds require to be just covered w ith leave th e bea k er and its contents in a warm, planting med ia and then well watered. shaded place fo r a few days to ferment (it Therea fter keep dam p and moderately w ill smell pretty bad at the end o f th e time shaded. Small and very small seed are best but th e seed w ill come to no harm) . After surface sown and then settled in by water­ fermentatio n it w ill be fo und that the gel is ing but not covered. very easil y washed o ff by placing th e entire Almost any orga nica ll y ri ch, mo isture beaker contents into a fine nylon sieve retentive yet well-drained med ium w ill under gently running water and w orking produce good germinatio n results. A suit­ the seed/ gel/pulp mass w ith th e fingers. able selecti on is: The decomposed gel will dissolve and the larger pieces o f berry, etc. , may be re­ 1:1 gro und sphagnum: Perlite/ coarse Ver­ moved b y hand. miculite, o r 1: 1 sieved coconut pea t (coir): washed Planting containers and coa rse (2-3 111m) ri ver sa nd, o r planting media 1: 1 sieved coconut pea t (coir): Perlite/ coarse Vermiculite, o r Pl astic pots o r trays are better then clay 1: 1 prop riety soil-less compost: Perlite/ (terracotta). Tn very wet tro pica l habitats coarse Vermiculite p lastic mes h trays o f the type used to drain kitchen dishes (crock ery) are excellent From experience for tro pica l speci es 1: 1 (Fig. 1) . ground sphagnum: Perlite works best in the Aroid seed requires light to germinate so everwet tropics w hile th e 1: 1 pro priety soil­ do not bury too deeply , if at all . M edium to less compost: Perlite mix is idea l for P. C. BOYCE. 2007 147

Fig. 3. A locasia chaN w ith mature fruits; note that the lower spathe w hile sti ll fres h has split segments that have recurved to reveal the fruit.

be underway loosen the bag but do not remove immediately . Allow the plants Fi g. 2. A/ocasia X Po rtodo ra at onset o f inside to acclimatize to the drop in humid­ fruit maturity; note the persistent lower ity that the loosened bag provides . After spathe beginning to split lo ngitudinally to two or three days rem ove the bag at night reveal ripe orange-red berri es . to allow a period o f cooler temperatures before th e first full day w itho ut a covering. Temperate genera are best germinated in a frost-free greenho use. temperate regions. If using coconut pear (coir) ensure that the source is free o f sa lt NOTES FOR SPECIFIC GENERA contaminatio n; m ost coconut pea t origi­ nates fro m coastal areas of the tro pics and if no t properl y matured o ften contains signif­ AWCASIA (including XENOPI-IYA) ica nt sa lt contaminatio n. Temperate genera listed belO\v (Arul11, Size Arisaru m, Siarum & Dracunculus, El17i­ Alocasia seed is medium to moderately nium and H elicodiceros) benefit from large (on average black peppercorn size) a small q uantity o f mineral soil (c. 0.25) to and easy to handle. w hichever mbc is used. T he seed of these genera should be covered limeston e grit to Home collection the depth o f the seed , rather than sowing media. In most species the seed is mature o nce the persistent lower spathe splits into Germination recurved strips to revea l the orange-red berries (Figs. 2 & 3) although in the A. Idea l conditions fo r germination of trop­ longiloba complex the lower spathe \v ith­ ica l genera are a hea ted greenhouse o r in ers and fa lls befo re fruit maturity (Fig. 4). warm climates a shade house . If germinat­ ing indoors then choose a brightly lit but Cleaning not sunny w indowsill and put the entire pot inside a po lythene bag secured by an Sq uash o nto k itchen paper to\vel; re­ elastic band. Once germinatio n is seen to move pulp and seed membrane and rinse . 148 AROIDE A, Vol. 30

Fig. 4. Aloeasia long iloba "", ith the fruit d isplayed and the lower spathe w ithered and fallen.

Sowing leads to either funga l o r bacterial ro tting. Thereafter, pot-on w ith m inimal root d is­ Cover to own depth. turbance.

Germination Notes 2- 3 weeks at a minimum of 21 °C (70°F) As Aloeasia grow and enter maturity they and a maximum o f 29°C (84°F). Medium become very intolerant o f root disturbance. shade. It is impo rtant that after initial p ri cking OLit plants are potted o n in such a way as to Post germination minimize root damage. A IIO\N the seedlings to continue growing Species (a nd their hybrids) o riginatina until a second lea f has fully developed from limesto ne habitats benefit fro l11 a sca nt before transplanting. topdressing of sm all (Y2 - 1 cm) limesto ne chips. Species and hybrids concerned are: Transplantation A. x Amazonica , A.long iloba 'Iowii' (syn. A. lowii), A. jJ/.I/.eri, A. jJangeran , A. jJrineijJi­ At the start o f third lea f emergence eulus, A . regi n ula , A. reginae, A. reuersa & transplant into ind ividual pots taking ca re A. rid leyi. In additio n, although their no t to bury the stem base as this in va ri ably habitat is not recorded the following P. C. BOYCE, 2007 149 species also benefit from a limestone Transplantation dressing: A. c!ypeolata, A. nebula & A. sinuata. At the initial potting from germination it will be seen that there will already we an extensive root system and great care should AGLAONEMA, AGLAODORUM & NEPHTHYrIS be taken to prevent root damage. Once Size potted, grow on until the pot is full of roots and then pot on successively into the final and Aglaonema, Aglaodorum Nephthytis container or ready for planting put, avoid­ seed is large (hazelnut to date stone size) ing root disturbance at each potting. and easy to handle. Notes Home collection Aglaonema brevispathum, A. costatum For Aglaonema and Nephthytis the seed and A. chermsiriwattanae benefit from is mature once the fruits turn red (Aglao­ a scant topdressing of small 0/2-1 cm) Fig. 5) or orange By nemcr (Nephthytis). limestone chips. contrast, ripe fruits of Aglaodorum remain As an adult plant Aglaodorum requires green (Fig. 6). Ripeness is indicated by the a heavy mineral rich soil but germinates fully formed fruits falling easily from the best in a loose medium such as 1: 1 ground peduncle. sphagnum: Perlite/coarse Vermiculite. Cleaning AMORPHOPHALLUS Unlike many other aroid seed there is no Size endosperm; instead the seed consists of a massive green cotyledon that is easily Amorphophallus seed is usually medium damaged, so the squash onto kitchen paper to large (small peanut to date stone size) towel and subsequent removal of pulp and and easy to handle. seed membrane must be carefully done. While the red or orange pulp of Aglaonema Home collection and Nephthytis is very soft when ripe and Seed is mature once the fruits turn red or, readily removed, the spongy fruit tissue of rarely, blue or green. Whatever the colour Aglaodorum is very difficult to remove of the ripe fruit at this stage the pulp will be (undoubtedly because in nature these soft and squash easily. entire fruit functions as a floating dispersal unit) and these fruits are best sown whole Cleaning into individual pots. Squash onto kitchen paper towel; re­ Sowing move pulp and seed membrane and rinse. Cover to own depth. Sowing Germination Cover to own depth. 4-6 or more weeks at a minimum of 21°C Germination C70°F) and a max. of 29°C (84°F), Light (Aglaodorum) to medium (Aglaonema & 3-5 weeks at a minimum of 21°C (70°F) Nephthytis) shade. and a max. of 29°C (84°F), Light to medium shade. Post germination Post germination As soon as the first green shoot emerges the seedlings should be individually pot­ Once the first leaf has expanded trans­ ted. plant into individual pots. 150 AHOrDEANA, Vol. 30

Fig. 5. Ripe fruits o f Aglaonema simplex. Note that the epidermis is beginning to split. P. C BOYCE. 2007 151

Fig. 6. Fruits o f Aglaodon/.Jn grifflthi! at th e onset of maturity. The berries remain green to fu ll ripeness at w hich point full y formed fr uits detach easil y fro m the peduncle.

Transplantation a scant topdressing of small (Y2 -1 cm) limestone chips. It will be seen that there w ill already be an extensive root system and great ca re AMYDRIUM, ANADENDRUM, PEDICELLARUM, sho uld be taken to prevent root damage. POTJ-JOIDlUM & POTHOS O nce potted, grow on until the pot is full of roots and then pot on successively Size i.nto the final containe r o r ready fo r planting Seed is medium sized (black peppercorn put, avoiding root disturbance at each to sma ll peanut sized) and easy to handle. potting. Home collection Notes Amydrium hu.mile, A. medium and A. These notes are based on the germina­ sinense fru it ripen white (Fig. 7); the othe r tion and aft erca re o f the Bornean species. genera ri pen red (Fig. 8). These genera ll y do not have a fixed nor long dormant pe ri od. I have no expe ri ence Cleaning with germinatio n and aftercare of species from mo nsoonal habitats. Squash onto kitche n paper towel; re­ The limestone species (e.g., A. hrachy­ move pulp and seed me mbrane and jJhyllus, A . ehurneus, etc.) benefit from rinse. 152 AROIDEANA, Vol. 30

Sowing Cover to own depth,

Germination 3-5 weeks at a minimum of 21 °C (7O°F) and a max, of 29°C (84° F) , Light shade,

Post germination As soon as the fi rst green shoot emerges the seedlings should be potted individualJ y,

Transplantation It w ill be seen th at there will already be an extensive root system and great care sho uld be taken to prevent root damage , Once potted, grow o n until the pot is full of roots and then pot on successively into the fina l container o r ready fo r planting put, aVO iding root disturbance at each Fig, 7, Ripe infructescence of Amyd1"ium potting, medium,

Fig, 8, Ripe infructescences of an unidentified Anadendrum, P. C. BOYCE, 2007 153

Notes caustic; prolonged handling of the pulp will result in skin loss. Latex gloves Many climbing aroids genninate as essential. Seeds of Biamm and Eminium a shade-seeking leafless (minute cataphylls have a large fatty structure on one end - present) thread-like, creeper ('eocaul') ca­ a strophiole or elaiosome that functions as pable of extending for a considerable dis­ a dispersal agent (ants) attractant. Experi­ tance along the forest floor and, although ence has shown that this is prone to fungal the green stem is presumably capable of attack that can spread to the seedling and is photosynthesis, at least in the initial stages it best removed prior to sowing - in habitat appears to depend partly on food reselVes this fatty body is eaten by the ants and the in the large seeds. Field obselVations seed discarded. suggest that the function of the eocaul is to locate a climbing host on which to establish Sowing juvenile shoots. It is apparent that once this function is satisfied the eocaul soon withers. Cover to own depth. Once a suitable vertical surface is encoun­ tered, the shoot alters its mode of growth Gennination and attaches itself to the substrate by means 3-5 weeks at a minimum of 15°C (59°F) of short clasping roots and begins to pro­ and a max. of 22°C (c. nOF). Bright light duce foliage leaves. If no such climbing but not full sun. surface is found the plant will continue to exist as a thread-like stem but will eventually Post gennination exhaust itself and perish. It is important that seedlings are not ANADENDRUM- SEE AMYDRIUM grown too shady, especially the steppe­ dwelling species of Biamm and Eminium. Too-shady conditions will lead to soft, ARlDARUM - SEE COLOCASIA etiolated growth that aside from being susceptible to fungal pathogens will also ARISARUM - SEE ARuM produce a weak tuber.

Transplantation ARUM, AMBROSINA, ARISARUM, BIARUM, DRACUNCULUS, EMIN/uM & HELICODlCEROS Plants should be kept growing as long as possible during the first year and the pots Size should not be allowed to dry out as this Seed of these European and Mediterra­ encourages the plants to become dormant. nean genera is medium sized (black When the leaves start to yellow the water­ peppercorn sized) and easy to handle. ing should be cut back but not stopped. When dormant, the tubers should be Home collection treated in the same way as mature plants. It is best to repot the tubers, about three to Amm, Dracunculus, Eminium and He­ a 10 cm pot, into fresh compost at the time licodiceros fruits ripen red; Ambrosina dull when the rest of the collection is repotted. green; Arisamm pale green; Biamm white The seedlings should now be treated as to lilac. mature plants.

Cleaning Notes Squash onto kitchen paper towel; re­ Sow in pots rather than trays since on move pulp and seed membrane and rinse. genninating seedlings immediately begin The berry pulp of Amm, Dracunculus, to fonn a tuber and the shallow nature of Eminium and Helicodiceros is especially seed-trays can inhibit this severely. The 154 ARO lDEANA, Vol. 30 pots should be fill ed with compost to within 3 cm of the to p, the seed sown o n the surface and the n covered to its own depth with limesto ne grit. The seed w ill germinate at the same time that the mature pl ants begin grO\vth. If the seed is fresh it sho uld germinate at the start of the next growth season, but if old or dry it may take up to a year longer. Seedlings of those species subjected to wime r cold will spend the ir first growing season as un­ derground tubers, showing no signs of aeri al growth. They w ill not produce leaves until the start o f the second grO\ving season. It is most important th at pots are not discarded fo r at least two yea rs.

BIARUM - SEE ARUM

BUCEPHALANDRA - SEE COLOCASIA

Fig. 9. Sebismatoglottis cf. l1iahensis at COLOCASIA, F URTADOA, HOMALOMENA & ripe fruiting. SCHISMATOGLOTTIS (including A RIDAR UM, BUCEPI1A LANDRA, PHYMATARUM & PIJYIOSPATI-IA) Size Cleaning Seed is sma ll (average 1 mm X l.5 mm) and tricky to handle . The main proble m w ith cleaning is th at inside each berry there are nume ro us seeds Home collection embedded in very viscous gel w hich is difficult to remove. The easiest method is to Ripe fruits of Coloeasia are pale yellow to put the berri es into a plasti c beaker full of brown and strongly fruit-scented; befo re water, macerate them with the fin gers and maturity they are contained in the persis­ then leave the beake r and its contents in tent lower spathe; at fruit maturity the a warm , shaded place for a week to ferment lower spathe splits irregula rl y and peels (it w ill sme ll pretty bad at th e end of the to reveal the fruits. The lower spathe of time b ut the seed w ill come to no harm). most Sehismatoglottis and Pbymataru111 After ferme ntatio n it will be found that the behaves in a similar manner but the ripe gel is very easil y washed o ff by placing the fruit are white to pale green (Fig. 9) and entire beaker contents into a fin e nylon odourless. In Homalomena and the allied sieve under gently running water and Furtadoa the whole spathe persists into working the seed/ gel/pulp mass w ith the fruit ri peness and then splits fro m the base fingers. The gel w ill dissolve and the larger into long strips that curl upwards to reveal pieces o f berry, etc., may be removed by the pale green or white, weakl y perfumed hand. fruits (Fig. 10). Aridarum, Bueepbala ndra and most Piptospatha ca rry the fruits in Sowing a splash-cup fo rmed by the persistent lower spathe. At maturity fruits are green The cleaned seed is most easily sown by (Fig. 11) filling th e beaker of seed w ith fresh water, p. C. BOYCE, 2007 155

Fig. 10. Homalomena gr!llithii at ripe Fig. 11. Splashcup infructescence of fruiting. Ariciarwn crassum; the fruits are fu ll y ripe.

vigoro usly stirring w ith a finger and th en Transplantation pouring the suspended seed and water onto th e surface o f the compost in a pre­ The best transplantation method is to al­ prepared pot or tray; keep the beaker low the clumps of seedlings to grow until moving to ensure an even distribution of they become congested and then to trans­ seed . plant small clumps of seed lings into in­ dividual pots. At the fourth or fifth leaf Germination emergence sta ge transplant into individual pots. Germination takes 1-2 weeks at a mini­ mum of 21 °C C70°F) and a max. of 29°C Notes (84°F). Light shade and high humidity. Seedlings o f these genera are very susceptible to fungal attack and it is Post germination recommended than the transplanted seed­ In Colocasia the first leaf is kidney lings are treated immediate ly with a suitable shaped and at this stage the plants are very fungicide as prevention against damping delicate and difficult to handle. Leave th e o ff. We have found that hydrm.),quinoline plants as long as possible in the germina­ sulphate (available commercia lly as Chino­ ti on container befo re attempting trans­ sol) is an excell ent fungicide and also planting. The othe r genera all produce appears to have some bactericidal proper­ rather more conventionallanceolate leaves ties. DO NOT USE METALLIC COPPER but all should be left to become crowded FU NGICIDES ON ARACEAE - THEY Al~ before attempting transplantation (Fig. 12). FATAL. 156 AROlDEANA, Vol. 30

CRYPTOCORYNE Size

Seed is sma ll (average 2 111m X 1 mm) and but not too difficult to handle.

Home collection CrJptoC01'yne is o ne o f the few aro ids with a dehi scent capsul e. The fruit opens in a sta r-like manner to real the seeds (Fig. 13)

Cleaning None required.

Sowing Surface sow and wate r well. Sta nding the pots in a shall ow tray of water, and ensuring th at the water is changed daily to p revent Fig. 12. Piptospatba grahows/?,ii seed­ stagnation, signifi cantly improves germina­ lings are the correct stage for transplanting. ti on and post germinati o n growth.

Fig. 13 . Open ca psule showing seeds of OyjJtocoryne lingua. p. C. BOYCE, 2007 157

Fi g. 14. Seedlings of Clyptoco/:Jme y I/jii at the stage suitable fo r transp lantatio n .

Germination transplant small cl umps o f seedlings into individual pots. At the fourth o r fifth lea f Germinatio n takes 2- 3 days at a mini­ em rgence stage transplant into individual mum of 21°C and a max. o f 29°C (70°F) pots. (84° F) . Light shade and higb humidity . CYRTOSPERMA, LAShl & PODOLASIA Post germination Size A fter germinatio n a se ries of short, Seed o f Cyrtosperma and allies is medi­ hooked lea ves develo p and the resultant um to large (half pea nut sized) and easy to seed ling resembles a 3-d imensio nal star. handle. After some time root growth initiates and once established , lea f growth starts. It Home collection seems likely that the curiolls ga ll-like stage Fruits of Lasia are hard and green at of th e seedling is linked to the aquati c maturity; th ose o f C);rtosp erma somewhat habitat o f all species and may provide an soft: and dull purple; th ose of Poclo/asia soft ancho ring device . and red.

Transplantation Cleaning

The best transplantation method is to al­ Although large and eaSily handled , low the clumps of seed lings to grow untiI cl ea ning lasio id seed is a troublesome since tbey become congested (Fig. 14) and then to each berry contains several seeds embed- 158 AROIDEANA, Vol. 30 ded in very viscous gel which is difficult to DRACUNCULUS - SEE ARUM remove. Purther, because the seeds are curved and variously crested and warty the gel adheres strongly. The easiest method is EMINIUM - SEE ARUM to put the seeds and their gel coating into a plastic beaker of water, macerate them EPIPREMNUM & SCINDAPSUS with the fingers and then leave the beaker and its contents in a warm, shaded place for Size a week to ferment (it will smell pretty bad at Medium (4-9 X 3-7 mm). the end of the time but the seed will come to no harm). After fermentation it will be Home collection found that the gel is very easily washed off by placing the entire beaker contents into Epipremnum and Scindapsus shed their a fine nylon sieve under gently running seeds at maturity via the greatly enlarged water and working the seed/gel mass with stylar regions becoming transversely de­ the fingers. The gel will dissolve and the hiscent, the abscission developing at the larger pieces of berry, etc. may be removed junction of the enlarged stylar region and by hand. the ovary and the stylar plate sloughing away to expose the ovary cavity with the Sowing seeds embedded in variously coloured sticky pulp. The stylar region is embedded Cover to own depth. with needle-like bodies (trichosdereids) that are exceedingly irritating; mature Germination fruits must not be handled without latex 3-5 weeks at a minimum of 21°C (lOOP) gloves. and a max. of 29°C (84°P). Standing the pots in a shallow tray of water, and Cleaning ensuring that the water is changed daily Removal of the seeds will leave them to prevent stagnation, significantly im­ very sticky; rinse thoroughly in a nylon proved germination ad post germination sieve and then dry on kitchen paper towel. growth. Sowing Post germination Surface sow and water well but do not These genera all produce substantial root cover. systems and need to be pricked out before the roots become too tangled in order to Germination reduce root damage. 3-5 weeks at a minimum of 21°C (lOOP) Transplantation and a max. of 29°C (84°P). Good light. Pot individual pots as soon as a green Post germination shoot appears. Seedlings are initially very slow growing Notes and should not be disturbed until they are becoming crowded. Attempting to trans­ Lasia and Cyrtosperma are mainly he1o­ plant too soon will result in very high phytes and need to be grown in strong light mortality. Seedlings approaching trans­ (but not full sun). Growing them too shady plantation size will begin to produce adult results in weak, disease-prone plants. roots (roots that look considerably more Mature plants of most species will do best robust than the plant looks capable of in full sun in standing but not stagnant producing) from the aerial stems. Such water. plants are much more resilient. P. C. BOYCE, 2007 159

POTHOS - SEE AMYDRJUM

RHAPHIDOPHORA

Size

Small to medium (2-3 X 1-2 111m) .

Home collection Along with Epipremnum and SCindapsus (see under Epipremnum) tb e fruits of Rhapbidopbora at maturity shed their seeds via the greatly enl arged sty lar regions becoming transversely dehiscent, the ab­ scissio n developing at the juncti o n of the enl arged stylar region and the ovary and the stylar plate slo ughing (Fig. 15) to expose the ovary cavity with the many seeds embedded in va ri o usly coloured sti cky pulp (Fig. 16). The stylar regio n is embedded with needle-like bodies (tricho­ sciereids) that are exceedingly irritating; Fig. 15. Matu re infructescence of Rha­ mature fruits must not be handled w ithout phidophora lohhii showing the stylar plates latex gloves. sloughing away.

Transplantation Once seed li ngs are producing adult roots they should be transferred to individual pots.

FURTADOA - SEE COLOCASIA

HELlCODICEIlOS - SEE ARUM

HOMALOMENA - SEE COLOCASIA

LASIA - SEE CYRTOSPERMA

PEDICELlJlRUM - SEE AMYDRIUM

PI-IYMA TARUM - SEE COLOCASIA

PIPTOSPATHA - SEE COLOCASLA

PODOLAS1A - SEE CYRTOSPERA1A Fig. 16. Seeds of Rhaphidophora lobbii POTH01DIUM - SEE AMYDIUUM exposed. 160 AI{O IDEANA, Vol. 30

Fig. 17. Seedlings of RhaphidojJhoJ'a lobbii rea dy for transplanti ng.

Fig. 18. SC indapsus beccarii see dlings on Fig. 19. Scindaps1ls beccarii closeup of a tree fern plaque. th e seed and initial ancho ring roots. P. C. BOYCE, 2007 161

Cleaning robust than the plant looks capable of producing) from the aerial stems. Such Removal of the seeds will leave them plants are much more resilient. very sticky; rinse thoroughly in a nylon sieve and then dry on kitchen paper towel. Transplantation Sowing Once seedlings are producing adult roots they should be transferred to individual pots. Surface sow and water well but do not cover. Notes Gennination Scindapsus beccarii, S. crassipes and S. genicu[atus are epiphytes and while they 1-3 weeks at a minimum of 21°C GO°F) grow well in pots, it is also possible to and a max. of 29°C (84°F). Good light. germinate them on a wood or tree fern plaque. In order to do this, do not wash the Post gennination seed after removal from the fruit and simply Seedlings are initially very slow growing press two or three seeds onto the chosen and should not be disturbed until they are mount. They will adhere by means of the becoming crowded (Fig. 17). Attempting to sticky pulp and provided that the mount is transplant too soon will result in very high kept damp (but not wet) soon germinate mortality. Seedlings approaching trans­ and establish (Figs 18 & 19). plantation size will begin to produce adult roots (roots that look considerably more SCINDAPSUS - SEE EPIPREMNUM