Ruschia karooica

Growing Hints

Two suggestions for potting mix:

1. You need a sandy porous mix that drains well. Add 1 or 2 parts of coarse sand to 3 parts of a commercial potting mix. The pH should be 6-6.5.
2. 4 parts fine river sand, 4 parts coarse river sand, 1 Part well –rotted sieved compost, 1 Part vermiculite and 1 Part perlite.

To prevent fungal infections: Use sterile potting soil or…

Sterilise the potting mix by putting it on a baking tray, wet it and put into the oven at 93°C (200°F) with a meat thermometer in the soil. When the temperature of the soil gets to 82°C (180°F), try to keep it there for 30 minutes. This will kill most harmful bugs.

Fill your pots with this soil, level them off.

Put the pot in a tray of water with fungicide (treat the seedling medium with a pre- fungal agent such as Previcure N or Chinsol.. not Benlate as it may prevent seed germination.)  in it, about half as deep as the pot and leave it there until water has soaked up through the drainage holes and wet all the soil. Remove the pot from the water, let it drain.

Scatter the seeds over the surface. Sprinkle a thin layer of fine dust (coarse sand, fine gravel) over them, don’t cover just anchor them.

Water the seed tray with room temperature water, using a can with a fine spray or nozzle.

Cover it with plastic or a sheet of glass, or put it into a plastic bag that can be sealed. Put the seed tray at 20 – 30°C (70°F- 80°F) and keep the seeds moist. Good air circulation is important.

When the seeds have germinated take the plastic or glass off.

If you need to water, water from underneath as the seedlings will be tiny and don’t need to be disturbed. Water occasionally with fungicide to prevent damping off and prevent fungal infections.