Turface technique

[Jim McClements, Dover, DE z6]

In a message dated 9/2/99 9:35:04 AM, craigs at ICAN.NET writes:

<<      I will definitely try your "turface technique with at least a
portion of the seed received for the upcoming Seedx >>

Hi Craig (and A-Lrs who don't know about the above)

I've been using that technique for about three years now and it's highly
successful. The pots stand in water, the seedlings develop and grow on
beautifully, and it's very easy to separate the new tubers from the turface
once the seedlings go dormant, just by dumping the whole pot into a plastic
bowl and adding water. The "tuberettes" quickly rise above the turface.

I actually start the seeds in damp towels, after a detergent soak, and then
transfer them to the wet turface when a few have germinated. Recently I've
been including a dash of Captan in the water that I wet the towels with and I
think maybe it helps reduce the risk of fungus. However, I still think that
it's usually the infertile seeds that rot.

After the disaster a few years ago trying to grow 2nd and 3rd cycle tubers in
wet grit, I haven't tried them in wet turface, but still use the
promix/turface mixture.

Should have a few good seeds for the exchange soon.

Jim