Sea Foam

JR

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Hi fellow modellers.
In 2016 I grew some seafoam or Teloxys aristata.
This plant supposedly is native to the Gobi desert and northern climates of Europe. It is sold dried as a model tree for diorama's, model railroads, museum scenes, etc. When grown the seed/flower stalks make a very realistic representation of actual deciduous trees

This year I found some seeds that I had saved, and decided to sow them and see what would happen. Using a seed compost with some added grit as I knew good drainage is a must, as too much water is a killer of these plants when young. Very quickly they germinated having been only covered in a very thin layer of sifted compost.
When the seed first appeared I used a pipet to water them, only putting a drop around each seedling. As they grew I then watered the base of the pot only. As soon as the compost appeared damp around the base of the seeds I emptied the saucer. This is a must , never water from the top at this stage, so they are kept away from the other plants in the greenhouse. Turning very day is like other seedlings encouraged as they lean towards the light.

They can be grown outside, but with the changes in the amount of heat and water they suffer I keep mine in the green house. You don't need to grow many plants, the first year I grew I had about 8 in 6 inch pots after I had thinned out the seedlings, but always allow for loss.

Paul asked where the seed could be purchased from, well I had my first packet from
https://www.chilternseeds.co.uk
I've just checked and they charge £1.95 plus postage, for about 750 seeds ! Ive seen them on Evil Bay about the same price , but prefer a genuine seed specialist for quality seeds.
Here a some shots of the seeds as they are, you might be able to sow some this month /early June and have success if grown under glass.
I shall blog the plants as they grow.
IMG_2880.JPG
You will notice the damp area around the young seedlings and that the saucer under the pot is dry. When the compost changes to a lighter colour I shall add water to the saucer then drain. As they hopefully grow and mature I will show how I treat with glycerine to preserve.

Happy gardening. Hope this is of some interest to my fellow green fingered friends .
John.
 
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Armorguy

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How cool is that ? Recently I purchased to shoeboxes full of seafoam for 6 euro enough for 20 dioramas so I won't have to try this. My fingers aren't that green.:smiling6:
 
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Jim R

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Hi John
Fascinating. I shall follow the whole process with interest.
Jim
 
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JR

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How cool is that ? Recently I purchased to shoeboxes full of seafoam for 6 euro enough for 20 dioramas so I won't have to try this. My fingers aren't that green.:smiling6:
Guy .
:smiling: Read some where that if you don't like gardening then not to bother.
john .
 

JR

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Hi John
Fascinating. I shall follow the whole process with interest.
Jim
Jim .
Hi mate , thought you might like this as a keen gardener. :thumb2:
John .
 

Si Benson

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Hi John,
I’m off to order some seeds now. I consider myself a green fingered gardener....ran my own allotment for a few years with excellent success :smiling4:
Si
 
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JR

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Great Si , we can compare notes .
John.
 

Si Benson

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Will do mate,
I’m doing lambs lettuce and pea shoots too.... lol :thumb2:
Si
 

Fernando N

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Interesting info John, didn't know you could use sea foam for model trees.
I'll try to follow the progress.

Fernando
 

JR

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Si .........Pea shoots and Lambs Lettuce, perhaps we could do a gardening blog. :nerd:
Fernando ..... You will be welcome mate, not as interesting as your planes though.:smiling2:
John .
 

Richard48

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Well hello me hearties.Are we turning into herbalists lol.I hope Wing commander race isnt going to grow some naughty plants for model trees.Could get the party started at model shows.I used to have a nice allotment and grew loadsa veg.
I now sign off as Compost Joey aka Richard.(Nearly as mad as Alen dewire)
 
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Si Benson

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My seeds turned up today, so I’ll get them sown soon as
 
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Gern

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I have no interest in gardening as there's waaayyy too much manual labour involved (I picked teaching as a career 'cos it's indoors with no heavy lifting), so if any of you guys like gardening that much, I got a back garden you could use as an allotment!

You would, of course, have to sign a disclaimer stating you were responsible for whatever you grew!
 

Jim R

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My seeds arrived and are planted in my make-shift window sill greenhouse. I shall watch them very carefully and remove the cover as soon as they germinate - John told me to do that :thumb2:

20180601_130552.jpg
20180601_132847.jpg
Jim
 

bazers

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Sea foam is great for large trees , I have a greenhouse but I think I will buy another box.!!!:smiling4:.
 

Steve Jones

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Thanks for sharing mate. It's going down a storm. If I look at a plant it dies. That's why I am patioing all my back garden. I'll buy your leftovers:smiling3:
 
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JR

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Glad to see some interest in this, would be nice to see some photos Mr Benson :thumb2: .
I will give an update on progress soon ..
John.
 

JR

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For the green fingered amongst us I have some more photos showing the increase in size since the 28 th May.
These were taken this morning, with the weather being warm and a great spurt has taken place.
IMG_2923.JPGIMG_2924.JPG
Very little water has been given and only from the base of the saucer. Whats interesting is the left hand pot has had a third germination take place from since the first photo.IMG_2878.JPG

Those of you that have sown seed keep a close watch , Jim as soon as the germination has started remove that top cover. Keep the surrounding compost dry and water with a puppet at first until the seedlings have gain strength, as you can see in the above photo.

John.
 

Jim R

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Hi John
Drum roll please :smiling5: Just germinated today. All advice taken although I am not sure I have a puppet capable of watering the seedlings - may use a pipette instead :thinking:
P1050342.JPG
P1050343.JPG
Jim
 
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