Germinating Trachy Fortunei x Waggy

[JohnAndSancho]

Ok so from what I've read, Trachys do not like a lot of heat to germinate. I've also read they like a little heat and a little cooling off? I've also read sometimes they need a cold period. So I've looked, I'm just seeking confirmation. So maybe throw a baggie on top of the fridge? Maybe throw the baggie in a windowsill that doesn't get blasted all day long? Maybe throw the baggie on the floor under the germination station where it'll get a little radiant heat but not cooked? 

I've also read they're slow, and I'm really bad about helicopter parenting my baggies now so maybe hide them someplace after I've taken my sleeping pills, and have my phone remind me to check them in September? Thanks again to Teddy, too. 

[Las Palmas Norte]

Much of what you have stated is correct. No need for heat as such. These will germination without too much fuss, and keep them out of direct sun and they'll be fine.

[Allen]

49 minutes ago, JohnAndSancho said:

Ok so from what I've read, Trachys do not like a lot of heat to germinate. I've also read they like a little heat and a little cooling off? I've also read sometimes they need a cold period. So I've looked, I'm just seeking confirmation. So maybe throw a baggie on top of the fridge? Maybe throw the baggie in a windowsill that doesn't get blasted all day long? Maybe throw the baggie on the floor under the germination station where it'll get a little radiant heat but not cooked? 

I've also read they're slow, and I'm really bad about helicopter parenting my baggies now so maybe hide them someplace after I've taken my sleeping pills, and have my phone remind me to check them in September? Thanks again to Teddy, too. 

Are those my seeds?  If so they are waggyxfortunei meaning the waggy is the female.  Anyway a community pot outside works well with just normal potting soil.  Maybe @teddytn can chime in on easiest method 

[JohnAndSancho]

1 hour ago, Allen said:

Are those my seeds?  If so they are waggyxfortunei meaning the waggy is the female.  Anyway a community pot outside works well with just normal potting soil.  Maybe @teddytn can chime in on easiest method 

They are. And he said the Fortunei he sent me is aleo descendant of The Rocket, so I'm hoping for those genes. And I have children of plants I watch on YouTube! I'm going to say for the 44th time that your garden videos are what inspired me to start digging holes in this yard, too. Are these your Louisiana seeds too? 

I've tried community pots but they end up turning into litter boxes. The cats killed a bunch of rare Sabals that @PalmatierMeg sent me. 

[Allen]

11 hours ago, JohnAndSancho said:

 Are these your Louisiana seeds too? 

You'd need to ask @teddytn He has some of my Louisiana seeds and seedlings but I think he has some from other places as well.  

[N8ALLRIGHT]

X2 community pots outdoors 

That's how I got my princeps and waggiexprinceps to germinate. They took forever.  I started with moist perlite and a baggie. 7 or 8months nothing. 2 months in the fridge for cold stratification after that. Then probably 3 months in community pots in morning sun they finally started coming up. Princeps has a reputation for being slow.  My thought is that trachys like fluctuating temps within reason when germinating. 

Get an el cheapo wire dog kennel put pots inside. Smile as plants grow turd free 

[MrTropical]

+3 for an outdoor community pot.

Community pots have worked very well for the hundreds of T. Fortunei I have germinated over the years. Last year & this year, I put my Fortunei seeds in a community pot in early April and had small seedlings by late June. I kept the pot in an area where it only received the Carolina Sun in the afternoon. 

[Allen]

On 7/11/2025 at 8:39 PM, JohnAndSancho said:

They are. And he said the Fortunei he sent me is aleo descendant of The Rocket, so I'm hoping for those genes. And I have children of plants I watch on YouTube! I'm going to say for the 44th time that your garden videos are what inspired me to start digging holes in this yard, too. Are these your Louisiana seeds too? 

I've tried community pots but they end up turning into litter boxes. The cats killed a bunch of rare Sabals that @PalmatierMeg sent me. 

A screen over the pot with a brick? For cat deterrent

[JohnAndSancho]

4 minutes ago, Allen said:

A screen over the pot with a brick? For cat deterrent

I think that's my game plan. We've got some old milk crates and Styrofoam coolers so I can do a bunch at a time. Drainage holes in the coolers of course. 

[JohnAndSancho]

Welp they're in a community pot in my semi crappy mix of garden soil and orchid bark. I found an old metal basket frame that even the most skilled or cats would have fun pooping in, but they're in the back room for right now. I might have put too many seeds in there, I guess we'll find out when I have to untangle them all eventually. 

[JohnAndSancho]

Okie doke bumping this. Checked my community pots outdoors this morning, and these 'uns - I'm trying to keep them moist, they're in a nice shaded spot where the cats can't knock them over, I lightly misted them a couple days ago and everything is still nice and damp, but they've got gnats in the pot. Is this a concern? Should I move them to where they'll get a little more light? Throw a light cover of coir over them? 

Y'all I've been doing so good. All these freaking indoor plants and I haven't seen a gnat in months. Not even in the little rehab Trachy that croaked. 

There's an old bench on the front porch I can move them to where it'll get a little morning light and i can get creative and put something else over the pot and tie it down so the cats can't knock it over. 

[SeanK]

My Trachies are all fortuneis. I can throw them in a leaf pile and water it a few times each week. Eventually they sprout.