Ombrophytum subterraneum

[Apoplast]

Hi all - I just planted alfalfa seeds into a very large pot as the first step in my efforts to grow Ombrophytum subterraneum (Balanophoraceae). I've been told it has been cultivated on alfalfa and clover before, so here is hoping. Given the size of the fruiting body, I've planted the alfalfa in a very large pot (something like 24 inches across). I have the seeds, so once the alfalfa is about 5cm or so tall, I'm going to plant a few and see how it goes. Given that even the fruit is underground on this species, I'm not quite sure how I will know if I am growing it successfully. Perhaps the first mystery to solve! I'll post successes and failures here.

 

[Lloyd Gordon]

This sounds amazing! I've never seen those seeds anywhere. I'd love to try them someday. Keep us up to date.

 

[Apoplast]

Well, Lloyd let me introduce you (and any other plant nerds with import permits to... Drum roll please. Rare Palm Seeds.

It is a German seed aggregator company. They have the most diverse selection of seeds anywhere, and the worst customer service. Just fair warning - know what you are buying from them. They will merrily send seeds that are long since viable, or seeds from the wrong species, and never reply to customer e-mails. So it is always a gamble.

The majority of the time though the seeds are good and the species available nowhere else. Ombro seeds are still fresh if you want to give it a go.

 

[Lloyd Gordon]

I couldn't resist, I just ordered some of these. Now to get some alfalfa ready.

 

[Lloyd Gordon]

My alfalfa is going crazy. My other seeds from Rare Palms, bristlecone pine and Strombocactus all germinated with 2-3 days so hopefully the parasitic ones will do well.

 

[Apoplast]

That's promising! They mostly have good stuff. Occasionally not, but they have stuff to take a chance on that one other places carries.

 

[Lloyd Gordon]

The seeds never germinated for either of us.

 

[Groove]

Just made an account to respond to this.
I've recently ordered seeds from IDSeeds for Ombrophytum Subterraneum. I'm a mad lad when it comes to mycoheterotrophic plants, specifically pterospora andromedea. For those a chemical from rhizopogon is required for germination.

My question is, what if there's a specific chemical required to kick start germination?
From what I've read it's possible that ants are the method of seed dispersal. If this is the case would a chemical in the ants nest be the trigger?

Either way, I've got alfalfa seeds germinating now.

 

[Smilodonichthys]

Maybe formic acid? I've never grown Ombrophytum but am also fascinated by mycoheterotrophs. From what I'm reading it looks like it's a root hormone from their host species that's required for germination. Might just happen to be one of the hormones that you can get by soaking Salix species cuttings. Maybe someone else here knows. I'm really curious now. Interesting question

 

[Lloyd Gordon]

Some parasitic plants germinate in the presence of certain factors from a host's roots such as strigolactones (very expensive). A seed being in an ant nest may be near a host root or not. Many parasitic plant seeds have very little food reserves and must germinate very close to a host root to survive. So an ant chemical may not be appropriate for a parasite. Interesting thought, though. If anyone hears of any studies about this, let us know. Also good luck, I suspect that fresh seeds are a factor.

IDSeeds seems to have a great variety of seeds. That usually makes me suspicious that only the easy seeds will germinate. However if you get Ombrophytum to germinate, I'd love to hear about it.