photos and descriptions
| 1. Germination of sacha inchi seeds - the seeds are about 1 to 1-1/4 inch in length, about 3/4 inch wide, and about 1/4 inch thick. The seeds are pointed at one end and rounded at the other end. They germinate from the pointed end. The seeds can be germinated on damp paper towels, or in loose potting soil or compost. Temperatures for germination were between 70 and 90 degrees F in this experiment. |
| 2. Planting sacha inchi seeds - the seeds are best planted with the rounded end down and the pointed end up, close to the surface of the soil. The seedling root then emerges from the top end of the seed, and curves downward to establish its roots. This approach allows you to see germination take place, and to note any seeds that fail to germinate. It also assures a uniform depth for the planting of the seeds. |
| 3. Emergence of the sacha inchi seedlings - The soil holds the seed coat in place, and the curved seedling stem pulls the cotyledons (false leaves) out of the seed coat. |
| 4. The sacha inchi seedling is relatively large, about 2-1/2 to 3 inches high at first. The cotyledons are about the same size and shape as the seeds, and are thicker than true leaves. The stems are sturdy, and easily hold the seedling erect. |
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5. The sacha inchi cotyledons are large and thick, but the first true leaves are small, narrow, and thin.
The true leaves emerge from between the cotyledons, along two stems, with about nine pairs of leaves on each stem.
Initially, each leaf is pressed against its pair on the other side of the stem, with the tip of each leaf pointing upward. |
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6. The first true leaves open, so that the pairs of leaves are pointed to the side in opposite directions. (Photo taken 09-23-2010.) |
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7. The first true leaves become larger, and the petiole (the small stalk attaching the leaf blades to the stem) grows longer, so that the pairs of leaves are now further apart. A new pair of petioles breaks out from the node between the first petioles. (Photo taken 09-25-2010.) |
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8. The cotyledons have now turned yellow, and are almost ready to drop off of the plant. The true leaves and the petioles are now larger and longer. The second pair of petioles is growing out, above and at right angles to the first and larger pair of petioles. (Photo taken 10-02-2010.) |
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9. The Sacha Inchi plant now has two pairs of well developed petioles, and new growth above the leaves and petioles. This attempt to grow Sacha Inchi plants now has five well-developed plants in small 6 to 8 inch sized pots. [Close-up photo] (Photo taken 10-08-2010.) |
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10. The five Sacha Inchi plant now have well-developed leaves and petioles. New growth continues at the top of each stem, from the node between the top pair of petioles. [Close-up photo] (Photo taken 10-15-2010.) |
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11. A set of new leaves begins as a feather-like structure, that later expands into petioles with sets of full size leaves. [Close-up photo] |