Does anyone grow Rebutia? (Aylostera, Sulcorebutia, Weingartia etc.)

I've decided to branch out into globular cacti and I have a strong memory of buying my first cactus (a Rebutia muscula) when I was probably around 9 or 10? from a stand at the Chelsea Flower show and I've always had a soft spot for them even when said cactus finally passed on to the big greenhouse in the sky.

I've bought a metric ton of species seed from a Swedish seller (Mats Winberg aka. succseed.com) so I'm hoping to have some lovely little seedlings by the end of the year and flowers in two or three of varying rainbow shades (except blue or violet of course!)

wish me luck

 

Picked myself an almost new heated propagator from the classifieds for £8 delivered the other day and I happened to spot that Aldi are also selling an own brand heated propagator at £12.99! very happy bunny I even bought 40 small 3" pots for £1.99 per pack of 20!

I've just splashed out on some mixed hybrid seed as well from Cactusland.co.uk (A.K.A Southfield Nurseries) so if anything that will give me something I can sell at one of the sales events in the next year ot two to raise funds for the branch.

 

@Aesculus was the man for succulents/cacti, haven`t seen any posts for a long time.

 

I've got a few largish rebutias, mostly about 25 yrs old.
Got a couple of reds and smaller white and yellows.
Really dont look after my cacti like I should these days.

Not been repotted in years though, so dont make much new growth but usually still flower quite well.

 

They sound fab pete, I hope I can say the same in 25yrs+

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My mixed seed arrived on Thursday but still no sign of the species seed from Sweden yet, I suppose with this bank holiday weekend I probably won't see them until at least the end of next week...

still a friend picked up a bag of Tesco's finest so I've got something to sow my mixed seed in while I wait for the rest to show up

 

Using cat litter, a good idea, I used to use a substance called "Seramis", not sure it's still available.
Probably has the similar water holding capabilities.

Still got some left and sometimes add it to the compost of the slower growing kinds that tend to rot off easily .

 

It's pretty simmilar stuff Pete both calcined clays except the cat litter is £4 for 10 litres compared with who knows how much Seramis or other professional products cost...

Sophisticat pink is another one I use as the particle size is larger, great stuff

I just poke holes in the bottom and flush through with a hose to get rid of the scent and dust

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I was once told there are some kinds of cat litter that are not suitable.
Is that true?

Not having a cat, I've never bought the stuff

 

Yeah some products are made from recycled paper or fullers earth which just clump and disintergrate when they come into contact with water.

Only this Tesco one or sophisticat pink are the correct ones to use

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My seed finally arrived from Sweden! lots of sowing to do now, unfortunately in the interim I also bought some Matucana sp. seed so the propagators are filled up with those currently...

For some gorgeous Matucana photo's take a look at this thread from a few years ago on the British Cactus & Succulent Society forum: http://forum.bcss.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=78&t=162289

 

Good luck with your seeds. I have a few Rebutias and they are good flowerers. I hope they do well for you.

 

Thanks Michael,

Most of the seed is starting to germinate now and I even found room by squishing everything in for half the Rebutia/Sulcorebutia seed from Sweden.

 

Please keep us updated on how they do. I find it very interesting. I grew some cactus seeds many years ago and have wanted to try again, so maybe I will buy some next time I go to a Garden Centre.

 

I also have grown Rebutia and Sulcorebutia as plants and from seed you get some fantastic colours. I made a raised bed in my greenhouse when i had them and planted them all together and what a fantastic display of colour.