ABSTRACT:

Results from the effects of fruit physiological maturity, hydration conditions, and growing media over black-vine (Philodendron corcovadense Kunth) seeds germination (under controlled conditions - laboratory) and seedlings emergence (under non-controlled conditions - greenhouse) are presented. Results obtained showed that black-vine seeds from mature fruits (external peel from dark-orange to dark-red) germinated better than immature fruits (external peel from yellow to light-orange). The seed hydration condition (L1: seeds without prior water soaking and volume of water equal to 2.5 times the paper sheets weight; L2: seeds without prior water soaking and volume of water equal 5.0 times the paper sheets weight; L3: prior 24 h water soaking and volume of water equal the paper sheets weight) did not affect the germination rate. Seedling emergence was not affected by growing media [C1: forest litter + sand (1:1 by volume) and C2: forest litter + sand (2:1 by volume)]. Under greenhouse conditions, mist proved to be favorable to seed emergence.