Author Topic: Aframomum sp. seed germination  (Read 5677 times)

Kay

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Aframomum sp. seed germination
« on: May 30, 2013, 12:01:40 AM »
I just received some seeds from a Ugandan Aframomum species from Soren (thanks).  Looking around the net it seems hard to germinate.  so was wondering what people have had luck doing?

following these links i will try the following, looking for suggestions though.  I dont plant on doing any tissue culture because i hate setting it up, but im not totally against it if need be.

http://www.tropentag.de/2012/abstracts/links/Amponsah_xYNrvBoE.pdf
http://www.icidr.org/jeiadc_vol2no1/The%20Effect%20of%20Pre-treatments%20on%20Germination%20of%20Seeds%20of%20Aframomum%20melegueta%20%28Alligator%20Pepper%29%20in%20Southern%20Nigeria.pdf

So my first batch i want to try 5 seeds in each way.

GA3 soak

Sulfuric acid scarification (25% as per link, I am familiar with this chemical and realize its hazards).  i wonder if i could simply use a less harmful acid like acetic acid and just use a highly acidic water maybe around PH3?

Hot water soak

sphagnum moss (like i do for most tropical seeds)

cold shock for 1 week, followed by sphagnum and perhaps a GA3 soak(?)


Its wet season right now and planting anything in soil right away is just asking for rot.

Mike T

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Re: Aframomum sp. seed germination
« Reply #1 on: May 30, 2013, 03:13:03 AM »
I got a few and just planted them in potting mix where they can get rain.It is a mild 21c to 28c nearly every day at the moment and has rained for the last 14 days straight. That is good germination conditions for me with the stinging heat of summer long gone.I am hopeful of good results.
For illama I used 600ppm GA3 for 20 hours for good results. I had no luck doing the same with bayberries even after fridge treatment. There may be etoliation and inhibitory effects of GA3 with some seeds.

luc

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Re: Aframomum sp. seed germination
« Reply #2 on: May 30, 2013, 03:47:34 PM »
I didnt do anything special , just dumped them in a pot slightly covered with some soil , water , thats it . I did keep them in filtered light and humid , not exposed to rain . Now x years later and in the ground , they are taking over ...coming up meters away from where they were planted . They have been fruiting for 2 to 3 years .
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nullzero

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Re: Aframomum sp. seed germination
« Reply #3 on: May 30, 2013, 04:10:17 PM »
How long do the seeds take to germinate on average?
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Re: Aframomum sp. seed germination
« Reply #4 on: May 30, 2013, 06:07:36 PM »
I didnt do anything special , just dumped them in a pot slightly covered with some soil , water , thats it . I did keep them in filtered light and humid , not exposed to rain . Now x years later and in the ground , they are taking over ...coming up meters away from where they were planted . They have been fruiting for 2 to 3 years .

And how is the fruit?
Oscar

luc

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Re: Aframomum sp. seed germination
« Reply #5 on: May 30, 2013, 08:16:06 PM »
I didnt do anything special , just dumped them in a pot slightly covered with some soil , water , thats it . I did keep them in filtered light and humid , not exposed to rain . Now x years later and in the ground , they are taking over ...coming up meters away from where they were planted . They have been fruiting for 2 to 3 years .

And how is the fruit?

You're not gonna believe this Oscar , I haven't tried it , not really sure what to eat , I wanted to grow it because ( I think ) it is in the zingiberales family so I just had to have it .
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luc

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Re: Aframomum sp. seed germination
« Reply #6 on: May 30, 2013, 08:20:55 PM »
Here's a pic of the flower .

Luc Vleeracker
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fruitlovers

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Re: Aframomum sp. seed germination
« Reply #7 on: May 30, 2013, 09:12:35 PM »
I didnt do anything special , just dumped them in a pot slightly covered with some soil , water , thats it . I did keep them in filtered light and humid , not exposed to rain . Now x years later and in the ground , they are taking over ...coming up meters away from where they were planted . They have been fruiting for 2 to 3 years .

And how is the fruit?

You're not gonna believe this Oscar , I haven't tried it , not really sure what to eat , I wanted to grow it because ( I think ) it is in the zingiberales family so I just had to have it .

Did you save seeds? There should be some nice pulp around the seeds.
Oscar

Soren

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Re: Aframomum sp. seed germination
« Reply #8 on: May 31, 2013, 02:14:42 AM »
I have been using the zip-lock bag method myself but as Luc writes - they germinate easily.! The pods start out being dark red, but are not ripe before they turn light(er) red - it takes several months. The seeds needs to be black (light brown or white = not yet ripe) - the pulp is acidic and reminds me of passionfruit with a spicy ginger-like aftertaste. The amount of pulp is good, and the seeds are consumed as well. It is a favorite among the locals and are sold at the markets for a fairly high price.
« Last Edit: June 01, 2013, 01:43:51 AM by Soren »
Søren
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luc

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Re: Aframomum sp. seed germination
« Reply #9 on: May 31, 2013, 10:04:47 AM »
I didnt do anything special , just dumped them in a pot slightly covered with some soil , water , thats it . I did keep them in filtered light and humid , not exposed to rain . Now x years later and in the ground , they are taking over ...coming up meters away from where they were planted . They have been fruiting for 2 to 3 years .

And how is the fruit?

You're not gonna believe this Oscar , I haven't tried it , not really sure what to eat , I wanted to grow it because ( I think ) it is in the zingiberales family so I just had to have it .

Did you save seeds? There should be some nice pulp around the seeds.

I will keep an eye on them this time Oscar .

Thanks again Soren !
Luc Vleeracker
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20 degrees north

luc

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Re: Aframomum sp. seed germination
« Reply #10 on: June 06, 2013, 08:02:04 PM »
Pic from another clump.

Luc Vleeracker
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Soren

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Re: Aframomum sp. seed germination
« Reply #11 on: June 07, 2013, 07:21:37 AM »
Luc; that is a crazy amount of flowers - never seen that here in their natural range.!
Søren
Kampala, Uganda

luc

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Re: Aframomum sp. seed germination
« Reply #12 on: June 07, 2013, 10:51:39 AM »
Luc; that is a crazy amount of flowers - never seen that here in their natural range.!

Soren , these are planted right next to a small waterfall , see left upper corner , so they are constantly wet , maybe not so good for seed production ...
Luc Vleeracker
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FlyingFoxFruits

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Re: Aframomum sp. seed germination
« Reply #13 on: June 19, 2014, 12:39:43 AM »
I have about 20 of these plants from Soren....they really held up nicely through the winter, and were easy to separate, handling transplant shock quite well.

I need to sell some soon!  I think it's a interesting fruit.  It's the only ginger relative I have right now.
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Re: Aframomum sp. seed germination
« Reply #14 on: May 20, 2019, 07:35:04 PM »
looks like first flowers are here after about 6y!

planted in shade, with southern exposure, and in super wet spot...

they survived about 25F so far, but probably was closer to 27F because a little protected.

Very strong plant.









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nullzero

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Re: Aframomum sp. seed germination
« Reply #15 on: May 20, 2019, 07:53:49 PM »
Flowers look great!
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Bush2Beach

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Re: Aframomum sp. seed germination
« Reply #16 on: May 21, 2019, 11:01:36 AM »
I’ve had this plant for 5 years in Nor Cal and no flowers whether in ground protected or open , or in a pot. Curious about the spice from seeds flavor like the leaf smell?

Soren

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Re: Aframomum sp. seed germination
« Reply #17 on: March 06, 2021, 07:17:46 AM »
The funny thing, in Uganda it's the pulp people love it for. Never heard anyone used the seeds as a spice, but probably more common in the rural areas


I’ve had this plant for 5 years in Nor Cal and no flowers whether in ground protected or open , or in a pot. Curious about the spice from seeds flavor like the leaf smell?
Søren
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