Growing aquarium plants from seeds is a fun and exciting experience. But it is fraught with certain difficulties. The fact is that only a few species of aquatic plants can be grown from completely dry seeds.
Although the most common method of propagation for aquarium plants is vegetative, some can also be grown from seed.
However, not all seeds of aquatic plants remain viable when dried. Therefore, many of their species, for example, Curly Aponogeton, cannot be grown from dry material. The seeds of Aponogeton remain viable only when wet. However, aquarists quite successfully grow plants of some species from dry seeds (for example, Nymphs, Lotuses, Echinodorus).
Each seed of an aquatic plant is enclosed in a shell. If the seeds are adapted for storage in a humid environment, they have a thin fruit shell that is easily peeled off. Seeds that can withstand drying have a dense shell. Sometimes in aquarium practice there are species that form large fruits that resemble a nut. Such seeds must be filed before planting to help the embryo get out.
Pre-sowing treatment
Before planting seeds, they must be treated with drugs that stimulate root formation. To do this, it is enough to keep them for 7 hours in a solution of heteroauxin prepared at the rate of 1 tablet (100 mg of heteroauxin) per 2 liters of water.
Germination
After soaking in heteroauxin, the seeds are transferred to a small jar of drinking water, covered with a lid and placed in a warm place. The water temperature in the jar should be 23-25 ° C. Higher temperatures will reduce the oxygen content of the water and the seeds may rot.
Planting
As soon as the seeds germinate, they are planted in another jar of water, at the bottom of which soil is poured. River sand, fine gravel, vermiculite with the addition of peat chips, etc. are suitable for use as a soil. Sprouted seeds should not be planted too close to each other - they need free space for normal growth.
Growing seeds in soil
Some hobbyists prefer to sow seeds directly into the soil without germinating them. To do this, shallow grooves are made in it and seeds are embedded there. Large seeds can be embedded deeper, but small seeds are not recommended to be embedded deeply - a hatched seed may not have enough time and supply of nutrients to come to the surface.
In the container where the germinating seeds are located, it is necessary to maintain high air humidity and protect young plants from their eternal enemies - algae.
