Victoria amazonica
Victoria amazonica
Ive always been intrigued by this impressive waterlilly, only ever seen it once at the Adelaide Botanic Gardens in their tropical atrium. Never thought Id be growing it but I had the fortune of obtaining some seed from Thailand and have had 2 germinate so far
I found them on Ebay and checked with the Customs mob if they were fine to import into Australia (YES!) so I ordered 10 seed for only a few dollars. I read up on germination techniques (http://www.victoria-adventure.org/victo ... tion1.html) and the strong advice was that the seeds were to remain wet at all times, but by the time the seeds arrived the tissue paper that they were wrapped in was bone dry, as were the seeds. I tried them after nicking the seed coat as prescribed but they went mouldy within a couple of days.
I contacted the Ebayer, who was very helpful (very Thai ) and sent me a replacement package, which was then confiscated by Customs They claimed the parcel was contaminated with insect larvae and destroyed them I messaged the seller out of courtesy and he kindly offered to send a 3rd lot, and wouldnt you know it the third times the charm
I treated 5 of the seed by nicking them at the "dimple" on the end and left them sitting in a glass of water that was changed twice daily, 3 went mouldy but 2 have just sent out a fine white filament that is the first root. So most excited! I took a couple of pictures to share but they are nothing but a blur, so Ill post pictures once a leaf has emerged. Ive still got 5 sitting in a jar of water waiting to be treated but Ill deal with those once these ones are happily growing on their way...
Question now is where do I grow them??
I found them on Ebay and checked with the Customs mob if they were fine to import into Australia (YES!) so I ordered 10 seed for only a few dollars. I read up on germination techniques (http://www.victoria-adventure.org/victo ... tion1.html) and the strong advice was that the seeds were to remain wet at all times, but by the time the seeds arrived the tissue paper that they were wrapped in was bone dry, as were the seeds. I tried them after nicking the seed coat as prescribed but they went mouldy within a couple of days.
I contacted the Ebayer, who was very helpful (very Thai ) and sent me a replacement package, which was then confiscated by Customs They claimed the parcel was contaminated with insect larvae and destroyed them I messaged the seller out of courtesy and he kindly offered to send a 3rd lot, and wouldnt you know it the third times the charm
I treated 5 of the seed by nicking them at the "dimple" on the end and left them sitting in a glass of water that was changed twice daily, 3 went mouldy but 2 have just sent out a fine white filament that is the first root. So most excited! I took a couple of pictures to share but they are nothing but a blur, so Ill post pictures once a leaf has emerged. Ive still got 5 sitting in a jar of water waiting to be treated but Ill deal with those once these ones are happily growing on their way...
Question now is where do I grow them??
Re: Victoria amazonica
I've seen those in Iquitos, Peru, in the Belen district with floating houses on the river.
Re: Victoria amazonica
Now that would be a sight! Believe it or not thats on my to do list, see these plants in the wild on a canoe on the Amazon.otorongo wrote:I've seen those in Iquitos, Peru, in the Belen district with floating houses on the river.
Re: Victoria amazonica
The lilies in Iquitos:
And the surrounding neighbourhood:
And the surrounding neighbourhood:
Re: Victoria amazonica
I have to say right here right now I'm jealous. No only do i love tropical plants but i love my tropical fish and Iquitos is amazon fish export central ! id die to see that (am i right in thinking that Otorongo is a type of stingray ?)otorongo wrote:I've seen those in Iquitos, Peru, in the Belen district with floating houses on the river.
Re: Victoria amazonica
Thanks guys.
I've posted a few more pics in a new thread so as not to steal this one:
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=21902
Otorongo is jaguar in Amazonian Quechua.chrismc wrote:id die to see that (am i right in thinking that Otorongo is a type of stingray ?)
I've posted a few more pics in a new thread so as not to steal this one:
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=21902
Re: Victoria amazonica
In a large pond.Troppoz wrote:Ive always been intrigued by this impressive waterlilly, only ever seen it once at the Adelaide Botanic Gardens in their tropical atrium. Never thought Id be growing it but I had the fortune of obtaining some seed from Thailand and have had 2 germinate so far
I found them on Ebay and checked with the Customs mob if they were fine to import into Australia (YES!) so I ordered 10 seed for only a few dollars. I read up on germination techniques (http://www.victoria-adventure.org/victo ... tion1.html) and the strong advice was that the seeds were to remain wet at all times, but by the time the seeds arrived the tissue paper that they were wrapped in was bone dry, as were the seeds. I tried them after nicking the seed coat as prescribed but they went mouldy within a couple of days.
I contacted the Ebayer, who was very helpful (very Thai ) and sent me a replacement package, which was then confiscated by Customs They claimed the parcel was contaminated with insect larvae and destroyed them I messaged the seller out of courtesy and he kindly offered to send a 3rd lot, and wouldnt you know it the third times the charm
I treated 5 of the seed by nicking them at the "dimple" on the end and left them sitting in a glass of water that was changed twice daily, 3 went mouldy but 2 have just sent out a fine white filament that is the first root. So most excited! I took a couple of pictures to share but they are nothing but a blur, so Ill post pictures once a leaf has emerged. Ive still got 5 sitting in a jar of water waiting to be treated but Ill deal with those once these ones are happily growing on their way...
Question now is where do I grow them??
Alexander
Re: Victoria amazonica
Great photos Otorongo! One day... In the meantime I have my own plants to enjoy Seeds are growing every day and soon the first leaves will emerge, thats when they are at their most vulnerable apparently...
Not necessarily as I have discoveredAlexander wrote: In a large pond.
Alexander
- Attachments
-
- victoria_bathtub_3.jpg (59.23 KiB) Viewed 1866 times
Re: Victoria amazonica
Well a larger pond will be better.Troppoz wrote:Great photos Otorongo! One day... In the meantime I have my own plants to enjoy Seeds are growing every day and soon the first leaves will emerge, thats when they are at their most vulnerable apparently...
Not necessarily as I have discoveredAlexander wrote: In a large pond.
Alexander
Alexander
Re: Victoria amazonica
In the Rotterdam zoo they always have once a year a day that all parents can come with there little child to make unique pictures...