Bought seeds off ebay

[qixer01]

I bought what was to be spiral aloe seeds off ebay. Upon sprouting them I am beginning to wonder what kind of seeds I was sent. Any help would be appreciated.

[Aiko]

Could be Bowiea.
Definately not Aloe polyphylla if that was what you were after.

Never buy seeds from Ebay (unless you really know from whom you are buying). It is usually a rip off if you buy the more choice species from what I have heard. Also steer to the seed lists mentioned on https://www.cactiguide.com/forum/viewto ... seed+lists. These you usually can trust as they are lists from succulent organisations or well know private growers or seed nurseries.

[qixer01]

Ok thanks for that. The seller on eBay had like 3k reviews. I will check out the link you mentioned.

[greenknight]

They could also be onions.

[bbarv]

They could also be onions.

More likely they are. Onion seeds are cheap and look somewhat like aloe polyphylla.

[Jangaudi]

It could possibly be just a mixup. I'd complain to the seller, and show the picture, or start a procedure on ebay

[DaveW]

I don't grow Other Succulents therefore don't know what their seedlings look like, but would thought those are too young yet to draw any conclusions as to what they are? However an Aloe specialist may know if they look like Aloe seeds?

[greenknight]

That hair pin shape is characteristic of onion seedlings, I would imagine many related species as well. I think Bowiea falls into that category.

[anttisepp]

I'd rather wait, cause aloe is close relative to onion

[Aiko]

I know how an Aloe looks like when it has just germinated. And also Aloe polyphylla specifically. They will show clear Aloe leaves from the start. Nothing like this. So this is not an Aloe, so don't get your hopes up!

Maybe it is something like Tulbaghia. That grows like grass like many other bulbs. Also onion like, and the seeds smell like onions when still fresh too. The seeds are relatively big and black. I can't recall how Aloe seeds look like at the moment, but probably alike.

[anttisepp]

Probably it's Albuca spiralis sold as spiral aloe

[Jangaudi]

Probably it's Albuca spiralis sold as spiral aloe

Yes, they also look like that, and Bowiea as stated before. Albuca spiralis would be a lot better than onions I think

[Aiko]

Probably it's Albuca spiralis sold as spiral aloe

Also a good option.
Although it might complicate things a bit, as they are likely to be winter active and might go dormant when the heath comes in late spring.

[qixer01]

Thanks for all the input and ideas. I wanted to upload pics of the plants now and of the seeds I received. I have initiated a return with ebay.

[Jangaudi]

Well they do look like Albuca spiralis seeds. Aloe and Bowiea seeds are less round in shape. You might wanna have a closer look and compare to images found online. Eitherway, as said before, not that bad a species, I love them and grow them as well Though don't forget they are wintergrowers but will pass on nicely into the autumn, that is if you live in the Northern hemisphere.