are dewy pines really hard to grow? i head they are super hard...and i can't find them anywhere...lol
sounds like a challenge
I do not find Dewy Pines hard to germinate or grow at all.
I use 8" plastic pots. The soil mix I use is playsand (30%), perlite (30%), vermiculite (30%) , and a handfull of peatmoss (10%).
I sand the seeds with 400 grit sandpaper till a little bit of the white seed embryo is visible. Drop seed(s) in pot on top the soil mix. Most common way I start seed from this plant.
Another way I have germinated seed is too sand them and place them in a cup of water. After a few weeks you will see the root starting to form from the seed. Remove the seed from the water and plant.
Watering can be the tricky part.
When germinating the seeds, (I do this indoors in a shaded location, they seem to germinate better in cooler temperatures) the soil mix is really moist. I saturate the mix before placing the seeds on it. Then everyday to every other day I mist the top of the soil making it moist.
After germination, I keep the plant indoors in an area that it gets some sunlight during the day. I change the watering to 2 times a week. I only add about 1/2 cup of water each watering, from the top. If the top of the soil looks dry before the next watering I will mist the top of the soil making it moist. I do not do this once the plant is larger and has a deeper root system, no need to. But while it is small and only has a root system near the top of the soil it may be need so it does not wilt.
When the plant is larger and can take full sun all day I move the pot outside. During this time I water the plants the same amount of water, but do it every other day.
The reason you can not find the plant, from what I've read, is that the plant usually dies if the roots are disturbed. I have never have disturbed the roots of any of my plants, so I do not know.
So the only way to get this plant is to be able to pick one up from a grower growing close to you that has some, or starting them by seed.
Andrew,
Sorry to hear of your luck growing this magnificent plant.
Do you have any seeds left to try?