Almost anyone can buy ready-made specimens, right? It's much more fun to grow the desert rose from seeds and with your own hands. But what should you pay attention to? How long does it take until the first bloom?
How do you grow a desert rose from seeds?
To grow a desert rose from seeds, sow the seeds a maximum of 1 cm deep and keep them moist. After 4-10 days they will germinate in a warm place. Brightness, regular fertilization and consistent moisture promote growth until the first flower in the second year of life.
Grouping the seeds
Not much can go wrong when sowing seeds. But there is one aspect in particular that can prevent sowing from being successful: If you sow the seeds too deeply, you shouldn't be surprised if they don't germinate. They should be sown no more than 1 cm deep. It is better to just press them onto the soil and keep them moist.
Put in a warm place and wait
If the seeds were sown correctly, they now go to a warm place. Heated living rooms and kitchens are well suited. You can also place the sowing container over a heater or near the stove. A lot of heat accelerates the germination process. It usually takes 4 to 10 days for seeds to germinate. Under certain circumstances it may take longer.
Something becomes visible
First, the future trunks become visible. They are brownish-green structures that first emerge from the earth. They are elongated, smooth and stand upright. Within a few days, the first pair of fresh green leaves will appear on them.
After the seeds have sprouted – this is what happens next
Anyone who has gotten this far is by no means a genius. The art is to continue cultivating the desert rose successfully. The following is important now:
- place in a bright and warm location
- fertilize the young plants regularly but sparingly
- Let the soil dry out slightly from time to time
- keep evenly moist
- Prick out and repot from a size of 10 cm (cactus soil (€12.00 on Amazon))
You have to be a little patient until your grown desert roses bloom for the first time. These specimens will not bloom until their second year of life at the earliest. Provided the location, care and wintering have been correct by then.
Tip
It is best to only use fresh seeds that are no more than 6 months old for propagation. The fresher the seeds are, the safer and faster they germinate.
