How to Germinate Rhodochiton

Rhodochiton is a genus of flowering vines native to the woodlands of temperate and subtropical areas of Mexico. Gardeners sometimes cultivate purple bell vine, or Rhodochiton atrosanguinea, as an ornamental vine for its slender, bell-shaped flowers, which are a striking dark purple. Rhodochiton seeds germinate reliably when exposed to warm temperatures and very bright light, which they require to sprout. However, they are somewhat slow to germinate, and the plant will take several months to reach its mature height of 10 feet.

4-inch plastic pots
Loam
Perlite
Propagation mat
Grow light
Plastic wrap

Instructions

- 1
  Fill 4-inch plastic pots with a soil mixture composed of 4 parts neutral loam and 1 part perlite. Moisten the soil mixture in each pot to a depth of 1 inch.
- 2
  Sow two Rhodochiton seeds in each pot. Press the seeds onto the surface of the soil mixture but do not cover them, because light exposure helps germination.
- 3
  Set the pots on a propagation mat beneath a grow light. Turn on the propagation mat and grow light during the daylight hours. Set the propagation mat to 70 degrees.
- 4
  Cover each pot with a piece of plastic wrap. Remove the plastic wrap every few days to water the Rhodochiton seeds to a depth of 1 inch. Put the plastic back in place after watering the seeds.
- 5
  Watch for germination 2 weeks after sowing the Rhodochiton seeds, but don't be concerned if it takes up to 45 days for sprouts to appear. Remove one of the seedlings from each pot if both successfully germinate.
- 6
  Keep the Rhodochiton seedlings in a warm, bright location until they produce two mature leaves. Transplant the seedlings 3 to 5 inches apart in a sunny bed with humus-rich soil.

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