Propagación de semillas para el enriquecimiento del Tropicario del Jardín Botánico de Bogotá: estudio del desarrollo de Cedrela odorata L. y de la germinación de otras especies

Abstract

To strengthen the living collection of the Bogotá Botanical Garden, research was carried out in the Tropicario focusing on the sexual and vegetative propagation of tropical species, with special attention to Cedrela odorata L. This species achieved 57.5% germination and 99% survival, with no significant differences among treatments or substrates, although its initial growth was limited by light availability. During fertilization, no significant effects were found for Osmocote® or vermicompost, the latter showing the lowest performance. In complementary species, germination was generally lower than reported in the literature, except for Chamaedorea tepejilote, Medinilla speciosa, and Hibiscus spathulatus, which showed good adaptability. Vegetative propagation by cuttings was unsuccessful, while air layering in Aristolochia grandiflora reached 100% success. These findings provide valuable technical insights to optimize propagation and ex situ conservation strategies for tropical species in high mountain environments.