Petalostigma banksii

[Moraceae]

Hi there,

This topic is a bit of a follow-up to a previous post viewtopic.php?f=134&t=17888

I attempted to remove a young smooth leaved quinine from the ground only to lose the majority of its root system resulting in an unsuccessful transplant.
As you will see below from the very beginning these plants push out a long taproot (locally into granite) which makes their successful removal very difficult once they are greater than ~5cm in height.

IMG_20140522_112901.jpg

So I have spent some time this morning foraging around looking for seedlings in loose-ish soil/rock to try and grow, here are the results.

IMG_20140522_113803.jpg

I collected more than a few as it seems that they have germinated fairly recently.
Each row was prepared differently and as follows:
- Top row: Seedling cut above cotyledon but below first leaves
- Middle row: Seedling cut at the base of the cotyledon
- Bottom row: Taproot nipped although roots left largely in tact

Additionally I have a pseudo control group which have been left as collected.

IMG_20140522_113922.jpg

I have potted up a few of the seedlings in some screened granite, some in standard potting mix (all cut above cotyledon) and have some seeds placed on top of some fine granite.

IMG_20140522_125217.jpg

IMG_20140522_125212.jpg

IMG_20140522_131616.jpg

While this may seem bizarre leaving them on the surface I believe it best represents the conditions under which the seeds germinate in the local area.

Anyways, this is just a little trial and I'll see how these go and post progress if any of them decide to grow, or alternatively if I commit genocide.

Cheers,
Rob

[dandybonsai]

Atleast each will tell wether it will survive, of the best method to harvest.

I think tap root cut group,should be left for a while to grow we will see from your method wether they will stunt or die.

Should be a interesting plant a nice fruit size for bonsai!

[shibui]

Rob,
The 2 top rows you have removed the roots from are now essentially cuttings. Did you give them any rooting treatment? Have you made provision to keep humidity high while they make new roots?

Very young seedlings do root more readily than older material but I would suggest some basic cutting growing techniques to help your success rate, especially with harder to strike species: Use propagating mix as the rooting medium (sterile, better water/air retention); Use rooting 'hormone'; Use intermittent mist or maintain high humidity with a plastic cover (may be counter-productive with species that detest high humidity)

[Moraceae]

Thanks for the replies,

In response to Shibui, I did dip the cuttings in rooting hormone before planting. I do also mist the cuttings throughout the day, as I remember so usually at least 3 times daily. Thanks for the tips

I have previously attempted to root other seedlings in standard potting mix and screened sand in a little propagation box although the leaves wilted and died (I don't think they liked the excess humidity or lack of air movement) so I thought I'd try something different. If all of these attempts fail I'll try and find a small-medium sized plant and remove it with its roots in tact - I'll then cut the stem off and pot it up as these plants apparently re-shoot from a tubers after being burned off by bush fires.

I'll report back with successes and/or failures.

Cheers,
Rob