Family GentianaceaeSow the small seeds on the surface of a soilless seed compost and gently tap the pot to settle the seeds into the compost. Then lightly dampen the surface of the compost with a fine spray of water and cover the seed pan with a sheet of glass. Place in a temperature of 60-65°F (15-18°C) and keep covered until germination is evident, then remove the glass and place in a good light, protected from direct sunlight. When the seedlings are large enough to handle, pot in 2'/2-in (6-cm) pots, in compost E6, and finally in 4 or 4Vj-in (10 or 11.5-cm) pots, depending on the growth the plant has made.
To make steady growth the plants require a temperature of 60-65°F (15-18°C) and although seed can be sown from late winter to spring, in order to obtain flowering plants the same year it is not advisable to sow earlier than early spring, unless you are able to provide the temperature requirement. Of course, the earlier the seeds are sown, the earlier the plants will bloom and the longer the flowering period, in fact, if seed is sown in summer the plant will bloom the following summer, but you would have to maintain a minimum temperature of 50-55°F (10- 13°C) throughout the winter, and even so you would probably lose a few plants. Seed sown in early spring should produce flowering plants by the middle of summer.
When plants are in bloom, never allow the compost to become too dry, otherwise the flowers will shrivel up and die. As the flowers fade they should be removed to ensure continuity of flowering. Although exacums are perennials they should be treated as greenhouse annuals and discarded after flowering. When a good compost, such as E6, is used, it is not necessary to feed the plants during their short growing season; otherwise start feeding about eight to ten weeks after their final potting.
