So you want to know how to grow Hawaiian Baby Woodrose? Well, I can tell you that it is not the easiest task because there are factors that make the first stages of germination a bit difficult. If you have ever had one of the seeds, then you know that they are as hard as stone. This hard shell means that moisture does not easily penetrate the seed. They also have a tendency to rot if you are not very careful during the germination process.
You’re probably wondering now “How the hell am I going to grow these damn things?” Well, there are several things you can do to help the seed be more willing to sprout. The first thing to do is “nick” the seed. To do this, you need a sharp pair of scissors. What you should look for is the “germ eye” (it is the small circle that looks like an eye). It is located at the opposite end of the pointed part of the seed. It should be fairly easy to locate. This is what you want to AVOID damaging. The pointed end is what you are looking to “dent”. Just cut out the germ eye and remove the pointed end. This allows moisture to penetrate the seed and begin the whole process. Now is the easy part. Just soak the seed in water for a full day and it should be nice and puffy. The seed now has enough water inside it to sprout and grow into a beautiful vine.
The next part is extremely crucial and a bit of a secret for those who know how to greatly improve germination chances. After soaking the seed (s), moisten a paper towel with hydrogen peroxide. You don’t want it to be too wet to the point that it drips. Just a little damp. A good example would be slightly less damp than a damp Clorox cloth. This should prevent the dreaded seed rot you were talking about. Place the seed (s) on the paper towel, then put it inside an UNSEALED ziploc bag to allow air flow. Check the seeds every now and then and within a couple of days you should see little sprouts coming out of the germ’s eye. When they are about 1/3 of an inch long, it’s time to set them on the ground.
If you’ve made it this far, the hard part is over! Hawaiian Baby Woodrose as a rich, nutrient-packed soil. Good air flow is a must. Keep the soil moist but don’t overwater it (good drainage should help maintain a good balance between wet and dry). Place the sprouted seeds about 1 / 2-1 / 3 inch deep in the soil and allow them to grow. Lots of sunlight is good for these types of seeds. You can tell if they are consuming too much because they will wither. If you start to see signs of wilting, bring them indoors. These plants can grow indoors but will not flower. They are fairly slow growing so expect to be in it long term if you want a fully mature plant. I also recommend a 20-20-20 fertilizer.