Germination

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

 

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

 

Left it a bit late Zigs.

 

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 .

 

Cheers all, will try that

 

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

 

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 .

 

@PaulB3 really enjoying reading the info and learning about succulents on this thread

 

Hi Paul,

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

Many thanks