Aiden Gardens

Acalypha herzogiana (Dwarf Cat's Tail) A low growing plant with a spreading growth habit. A fantastic ground cover which will gently spill out over garden edges or containers. Quite hardy once established. Will grown in areas where there is already a lot of roots from surrounding plants.

BANANA SEED GERMINAION To begin germinating the banana seeds, soak the seed in warm water for 24 to 48 hours to break the seed dormancy. This softens the seed coat, enabling the embryo to sprout more easily and rapidly. Prepare an outdoor bed in a sunny area or use a seed tray or other container and fill with potting soil enriched with plenty of organic compost in the amount of 60% sand or airy, loam to 40% organic matter. Sow the banana seeds 1/4 inch deep and backfill with compost. Water the seeds until the soil is moist, not drenched, and maintain damp conditions while growing banana trees from seeds. When germinating banana seeds, even hardy bananas, keep the temperature at least 15 C. Different varieties respond to temperature fluxes differently. The time that a banana seed germinates, again, depends on the variety. Some germinate in 2-3 weeks while others may take two or more months, so be patient when propagating banana plants via seed

WATERMELON SEEDS GERMINATION Sow seed in cell packs or flats, 3-4 weeks before the last frost. Kept at 75-85°F., germination averages 7-14 days. Or, direct sow into prepared seed beds after all danger of frost, 6 in. apart in rows 4-6 ft. apart depending on the variety. Thin to 2 ft. apart.

PITAYA DRAGON FRUIT SEED GERMINATION Dragon fruit seeds are usually fairly easy to germinate but show variable germination rates. Fresh (undried) seeds will germinate quite rapidly, usually within just a few days. Dried seeds show longer germination periods and often germinate within 1-4 weeks, though some groups may need up to 8 weeks for germination. Plant seeds 1/4-1/2" deep in moist, sterile soil. Keep soil temperature consistent at 70-85F. Cool soils will significantly delay seed germination time and may inhibit germination completely.  Dragon fruit seeds are small and very fragile, so handle with care. Also take care in watering not to jostle the soil as seeds can become deeply buried where they may fail to breach the soil surface and rot.  Estimated germination time under optimal conditions: 1-4 weeks, though occasionally up to 8 weeks.

PASSIONFRUIT SEED GERMINATION Fill a pot that’s 4 inches across and has drainage holes with an all-purpose compost. Moisten the compost until water drains from the holes. Press each of the dry seeds into the compost. Cover each with a thin layer of compost. Lower the pot into a large zippered plastic storage bag. Seal the bag and set it in a warm space, such as your kitchen windowsill. Do not allow the compost to dry. Monitor the seeds until they germinate, which generally takes two to three weeks. Plant the individual passion vine seedlings in 3-inch pots filled with the same multipurpose compost. Dig a hole approximately 1 to 1 1/2 inches deep before lowering the seedling and backfilling with the original medium. Maintain evenly moist soil and transplant the seedlings when they reach a height of 10 inches. Passion vines thrive in well-drained soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5, and full sunlight to partial shade.

GOOSEBERRY SEEDS GERMINATION                   Soak the seeds in a bowl of water overnight to determine which seeds are viable. Sow the seeds that sink to the bottom and discard those that float to the top. Soak the Indian gooseberry seeds for five minutes in a bowl of hot water, which can improve the chance of germination. Cover the bowl with a dish towel to help hold in the heat. Drain the seeds and sow them immediately. Fill 4-inch pots with a mixture of half potting soil and half compost. Pour water onto the soil mixture until it feels moderately moist throughout. Sow one Indian gooseberry seed in each pot at a depth of roughly 1/4 inch. Place the pots indoors near a large window or outdoors inside an unventilated, lightly shaded cold frame. Warm the pots to 80 degrees Fahrenheit with a propagation mat if temperatures drop below 70 F. Check the soil mixture twice daily to ensure it never fully dries out. Water to a 2-inch depth...

LEMON SEEDS GERMINATION Fill a small pot with pasteurized soil mix or a mix of half peat moss and half perlite or sand and pasteurize it yourself. Pasteurization will also aid in removing any harmful pathogens that can kill your seedling. Plant several lemon seeds about ½ inch deep to increase the chance for lemon seed propagation. Moisten the soil lightly and cover the top of the pot with plastic wrap to aid in water retention. Keep the soil moist, but not soggy. Keep your growing lemon tree seeds in an area that is around 70 degrees F. (21 C.); the top of the fridge is ideal. Once the seedlings emerge, move the container into brighter light and remove the plastic. When the seedlings have several sets of leaves, transplant them to larger, 4- to 6-inch pots filled with sterile potting medium. Fertilize them with a water soluble fertilizer high in potassium every two to four weeks and keep the soil moist. The propagated lemon seedlings should have at least four hours of direct ...