We begin our journey as dormant, dust-like seeds, patiently waiting for the precise conditions to break our slumber. To mimic our natural habitat, you must first provide a well-draining home. Mix fine grit, perlite, and a small amount of sterile potting soil. Moisten this medium thoroughly before placing us on the surface; we are too small to be buried. A light dusting of sand or fine grit can anchor us, but we need access to light to trigger germination. Gently mist the surface to settle us into our new bed, and cover the container with a clear lid or plastic wrap to maintain the high humidity we crave.
For us to sprout, consistent warmth and moisture are non-negotiable. Place our container in a bright, indirect light location with temperatures between 68-80°F (20-27°C). We are not sun-worshippers yet; direct rays at this stage will cook us. The cover will create a miniature greenhouse, trapping moisture that our tiny roots will eagerly absorb. You should see the first signs of life—tiny, green, hemispherical bodies—within one to three weeks. Keep the medium consistently moist, but not waterlogged, during this critical period. Our survival depends on this humid microclimate.
As we emerge, we are incredibly vulnerable. The cover should remain on to maintain humidity, but now you must introduce slight air circulation to prevent fungal attacks. Open the cover for a short period each day. Our most significant danger now is drying out too quickly; our minute root systems cannot yet seek deeper water. Continue to water from below by placing the pot in a shallow tray of water, allowing the medium to wick moisture upwards. This prevents you from dislodging us with a top-watering stream. We will spend many months in this community pot, slowly developing our first true leaf pair.
After several months, when we seem sturdy and are crowding each other, you can consider transplanting us. Handle us with extreme care, using tweezers if necessary. Our new individual pots must have an exceptionally gritty, free-draining mix. The most crucial lesson you must learn now is our seasonal cycle. We absorb water and grow in autumn and spring. We are dormant in summer and winter. Water us only when the old leaf pair has been completely absorbed and the new pair shows signs of slight shriveling. Too much water, especially during dormancy, will cause us to burst or rot. Our survival hinges on your restraint.
Do not expect flowers for at least three years, and often longer. We grow at our own slow, deliberate pace, mirroring the harsh environments we originate from. Each year, we will undergo a fascinating process of splitting, where a new body emerges from within the old one, absorbing its moisture and nutrients. Your role is to provide maximum light once we are established (at least 4-5 hours of direct sun), to water with profound infrequency, and to protect us from frost. Success is not measured in rapid growth, but in our steady, resilient existence year after year.
