I just stumbled onto this thread. Interesting. I look forward to following your progress. That would be cool to make your own Seafoam trees if this works.
Rich
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Likewise. I always love How To threads.
Rich
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So, Scenic Express may have a proprietary interest, eh?
Rich
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Interesting thread! According to this site:
Seafoam grows in well-drained, sandy, alkaline soil. I would avoid anything that would increase acidity, such as compost. You might want to check about the fertilizer you are using, it may also affect the chemistry of the soil. You also might be putting too much water - is there drainage in your container?
The site also mentions that it is a slow-growing plant.
Simon
Please do!
Rich
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Good points, Simon!
Rich
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Received my Teloxys Aristata seeds today.
21 days start to finish from Statte Italy to Clearwater Fl.
I would estimate the quantity to be well over 10k.
Hope to plant this weekend.
Should do well in our naturally alkaline sandy soil.
A pre-planting google search of growing environment is always a good idea. 
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So I bought some organic potting soil and put it in the checkered pot in the window along with some Miracle Grow and they sprouted fast and are growing fast.
In the little white pots in the window I used compost from the back 40 that contain rotten grass and tree bark, rotten branches, leaves and stuff. I also added Miracle Grow. The seeds sprouted and are growing at a much slower rate than the organic potting soil ones.
The original ones I first planted back in May are still plodding along at a very slow rate. I had transferred these from the aluminum tray that I was told was a no-no for Seafoam. Half into the planter I made and half into a large pot. About 75% of those have died.
With the success of the potting soil ones, today I decided to fill four more pots with the store bought stuff and these will be left outside from the get-go. With the warm summer weather I want to see if they sprout and grow outdoors.
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Fantastic!
This going to work.
You need to start your own business.
Rich
The weather has finally started to warm up after a much cooler than normal start to the Spring. All of a sudden these things are popping. Seeds I threw in the ground in May have decided it is time to say hi. It will be interesting to see how many show up after I had written them all off.
This pot is just compost and the reason for the needles is I cleaned off the roof with the leaf blower and the pot was down below.
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I thought it is time for an update on my little experiment of growing Seafoam.
I have done a lot of reading on the subject from sources/modellers located all around the planet and have come to the conclusion it is trial and error the first time you try to grow these things and you must figure out what works for your geographic location.
Using organic potting soil is best followed by compost from the back 40 and it even grows in crappy dirt from the edge of the road but very slowly.
It is generally agreed by growers from around the planet that synthetic fertilizers like Miracle Grow are really bad for Seafoam. I put Miracle Grow in my pots before germination and some afterwards after they were a couple of centimetres and they all croaked, then I read the “DO NOT USE IT” warnings from others online.
Once the warmer weather arrived I tried letting some germinate outside in pots and while it took a couple of days longer they all came up just fine. However, one good rain storm wiped 80% of them out. Lesson learned is they need to be under cover until they are a couple of Centimetres high.
I am learning what works for growing Seafoam on the West Coast, North of the 49th. One online grower/modeller said, you don’t grow this stuff for the RR to save money, you grow it because it is a challenge. I love a good challenge.
I have planted another batch in the window (not in aluminium trays) lesson learned. They are growing fast. I also have some in various pots and dirt around the property to see what happens. I have planted some in a mix of 50% forest floor dirt and 50% river sand. One guy had great success with forest floor dirt while another had none and warned against using it. Forest floors are different all around the world so I will see how B.C.s best compares.
Come fall I will get a two metre strip of LED grow lights from Amazon for $10.00 and plant a few pots in the garage just for fun.
A few pics.
On the roof of the dog run left on its own.
I still have a gazillion seeds left for another round next year if all is lost this season, it has been a lot of fun and my wife and daughter have been amused and entertained by my efforts. I’LL SHOW THEM!!! 
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Walked up to the next door neighbours where their acres are covered with amazing species from around the globe. He was in the process of loading thousands of empty pots in his truck to return to the local garden centre. I nicked a few for my winter operation. 
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LOL 
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It has been really hot here the last several days and the Seafoam is lovin it. I see little HO scale trees starting to take shape. You can’t tell from the pics but these little branches are very fine and delicate.
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Are you sure those aren’t weeds, Brent?
Rich
Let me smoke some and find out.
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I have been robbed!
I went out to check on my little darlings and found one missing. Completely gone! Vamoosed! Disappeared! Skipped town! 
You try and do your best by them and this is how they show their appreciation. 
I am really getting a handle on growing these things, like many have said on the many sites I have visited and with those I have chatted with, the first batch is always trial and error based on your geographical location on the planet. I am off to the races here on the West Coast just North of the 49th.
These things seem to grow in most anything, however, they grow best in organic potting soil.
They do not do well and often die when synthetic fertilizer is used. The general consensus with those I have chatted with and what I read online is, don’t use any fertilizer at all. One guy had success with a very small amount of highly diluted fish fertilizer so I may ask for a hardy volunteer and give that a go.
These things must be germinated in pots and left to grow to 10cm before transplanting into the ground. As I found out a heavy West Coast rain will wipe them out if they are any smaller.
The journey continues.
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Out here in New England, the deer just love to eat up fresh young sprouting things. The typical culprit of most plant related thievery out this way!
-El
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Seafoam typically grows 10cm to 30cm with some hitting 45cm in perfect conditions. When it turns a purple/reddish colour it has reached the end of its life cycle and it is time to harvest it. I am delighted to report that this little experimental batch is starting to turn in colour and its measured length is about 35cm. I consider this a huge win.
I have other seafoam plants around the yard in spots in a variety of containers and will let them continue to do their thing.
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