{"product_id":"welwitschia-mirabilis-5-seeds-ultra-rare-houseplant-48h-tracked-post","title":"Welwitschia Mirabilis | 5 Seeds | Ultra Rare | Houseplant | 48H tracked post","description":"\u003cp\u003ePlease find for sale 5 Welwitschia Mirabilis seeds imported from a highly reputed supplier in Germany. These are by far the most expensive seeds I have ever bought - but as they are so rarely available we could not resist it. All our seeds are dry cold stored to ensure they reach customers in optimum condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNative to the coastal deserts of Namibia and Angola, Welwitschia Mirabilis have unique morphological adaptations that have allowed them to survive and evolve since the Jurassic era.  Welwitschias are dioecious gymnosperms, meaning they produce cones, not flowers, on separate male and female plants.  Pollination happens primarily by flies and a few species of bees and wasps which are attracted to nectar droplets on the female and male cones. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGenerally, plant leaves have determinate growth, meaning they reach a certain size and shape and eventually die. However, this is not the case with Welwitschia. They produce two cotyledons, but its first set of true leaves are the only leaves it will ever develop! Located at the base of these leaves is a compact stem where the cones develop. The root system is composed of a deep tap root that can access ground water, while a fibrous root system captures coastal fog drip. This last part is important to keeping the plants healthy - despite being desert plants, they need a misting most days and a good soak once a week.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI having been researching this plant and one of the best guides on care is here:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ehttps:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/Caudex\/comments\/1f2e2om\/welwitschia_mirabilis_1_years_old_plant_nottocare\/\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eINSTRUCTIONS - TO SAVE PAPER I NO LONGER SEND OUT PAPER INSTUCTIONS. WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS ARE BELOW SO PLEASE BOOKMARK THIS PAGE.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination Guide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDry store the seeds in a grip seal bag in the fridge until ready to so take your time and ensure you have all the materials required to hand as these are expensive and rare seeds!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1. Seed Prep: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCarefully remove the papery wings surrounding the seeds before sowing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSoak the seeds in warm, clean water for 24 hours to soften the outer shell and trigger the germination process\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2. Sowing \u0026amp; Soil \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUse deep pots at least 20–30 cm deep as this plant does not like root disurbance. Welwitschia develops a long taproot almost immediately, and curling or damaging it can be fatal. Use a 100% mineral or highly gritty, well-draining substrate (e.g., pumice, perlite, and coarse sand mixed with a little loam). Plant seeds 1–2 cm deep in the soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e3. Environment \u0026amp; Care\u003c\/strong\u003e Maintain a substrate temperature of 25–30°C. Using a heat mat is highly recommended if your ambient temperature is lower. Keep the humidity around 70–75% for the first few weeks, but allow for some airflow to prevent mould. Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged. Because seedlings are notoriously susceptible to fatal fungal and bacterial rot, regular treatment with a mild copper-based or general succulent fungicide is essential during the first year. Provide bright, indirect sunlight or supplemental grow lights.Avoid harsh, direct sunlight until the seedlings are more established.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"speedy-seeds.co.uk","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55570744017272,"sku":null,"price":29.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0571\/4775\/2471\/files\/Welwitschiafront.jpg?v=1779972643","url":"https:\/\/speedy-seeds.co.uk\/products\/welwitschia-mirabilis-5-seeds-ultra-rare-houseplant-48h-tracked-post","provider":"speedyseeds","version":"1.0","type":"link"}