Germination

Discussion in 'Cacti and Succulents' started by Phil A, Aug 14, 2017.

  1. Phil A

    Phil A Guest

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    Sowed 100 mixed cacti and succulent seeds. At least one has come up :)

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    • Sirius

      Sirius Total Gardener

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      Have any more come up?
      Ideally you should cover the soil with a layer of grit. Helps support the seedlings as they germinate
       
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      • pete

        pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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        Left it a bit late Zigs.:biggrin:
         
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        • PaulB3

          PaulB3 Gardener

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          Have you tried germinating cactus seed in an inert medium such as perlite ? If you've access to a heated propagator , fill pots with pure perlite , cover seeds with about 1/4" of the same ; STAND POTS IN WATER UNTIL SEED GERMINATES ; this goes against current advice , but when I worked at Whitestone Gardens years ago , this was the virtually guaranteed way to grow seedlings . A constant supply of water is essential ; hydroponic cultivation was the norm ; reduces the risk of bacterial and fungal infections . Mature plants were only grown in a 1/11 mix (1 coarse sand & 11 parts grit ), and fed with liquid nutrients . Such gems as Aztekium , Ariocarpus and Copiapoa were grown well using this method . Forget any idea that cacti 'thrive on neglect' ; moisture throughout their growing season is vital as well as copious feeding with low nitrogen fertiliser .
           
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          • Phil A

            Phil A Guest

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            Cheers all, will try that :)
             
          • ricky101

            ricky101 Total Gardener

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            Hi Paul,

            May I ask, what height of water are you talking about, just the depth of a pots saucer or much further up the pot, say 1/4 or 1/2 way up ?

            thanks
             
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            • PaulB3

              PaulB3 Gardener

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              Hello Ricky101
              The pots (about 5 inches diameter) were kept in neutral pH water to a depth of about 1 inch .
              They were in heated propagators in a partially shaded large greenhouse ; optimal temperature around 21-25 centigrade . Maybe better in spring with better light conditions .
               
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              • BeeHappy

                BeeHappy Total Gardener

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                @PaulB3 really enjoying reading the info and learning about succulents on this thread :thankyou:
                 
              • ricky101

                ricky101 Total Gardener

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                Hi Paul,

                Tried your method and so far its really worked a treat, see Living Stones/Linthops / Succulents

                Many thanks
                 
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