|
Some of these posts are very old and might contain outdated information. You may wish to search for newer posts instead.
|
Lucid_Euphoria
Sojourner


Registered: 03/23/05
Posts: 1,045
Loc: Flip Side
|
First Timer: Loph Seed Procedure, please critique!
#14426874 - 05/09/11 08:59 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
So this is my first time growing any cacti.
I have about 20 or so Loph Williamsii seeds that I want to sow. I've done some researching and feel I'm ready to give them a good shot.
I'm hoping some of you experienced loph growers will please critique
Here is the plan I've come up with:
1. Mix Soil - Equal Parts: Sand/Retail Bagged Cactus Soil/Perlite (this will be sifted through a screen to remove large organic matter). Then I plan to add to that about an equal part of coco coir.
2. Sterilize Soil - This part I'm not 100% on but according to wikipedia, when using dry heat (oven) to sterilize, is about 2 hours at approximately 320 degrees F.
3. Fill tiny clay pots with soil - I'm going to try and find some pumice, but if not then some cleaned stones at the bottom of the pots. Then I will will fill them with sterilized soil, then a thin layer of plain fine grain sand on top.
4. Sow the Seed - I will place the seeds on top of the thin layer of sand, probably 3-4 seeds in each pot. I'm just going to leave them sitting on top and not try to push them down at all.
5. Water - I will then use a fine mist spray bottle to moisten the substrate a bit, not to the point of saturation, and for those mushroom growers out there, less than field capacity
6. Tag em and Bag em - I'll then place each pot in a ziplock baggy and seal it up. Then I will either place on a heating pad with artificial light, or place in a windowsill. On days that it is warm out I will place them outside for better sunlight exposure.
Anyone see any problems or concerns with these procedures?
As a side question to the last step: Would artificial light be better for germination purposes than sunlight? How many hours a day of artificial light should I provide?
-------------------- PAN CYAN & AZURE FOR TRADE "If ignorance is bliss, THEN KNOCK THE SMILE OFF MY FACE!" - Zach de la Rocha "Today a young man on acid realized that all matter is merely energy condensed to a slow vibration, that we are all one consciousness experiencing itself subjectively, there is no such thing as death, life is only a dream, and we are the imagination of ourselves. Here's Tom with the weather!" -Bill Hicks-
Edited by Lucid_Euphoria (05/09/11 09:00 PM)
|
Mostly_Harmless
wyrd bið ful aræd



Registered: 05/12/09
Posts: 5,043
Loc: Perfidious Albion
|
Re: First Timer: Loph Seed Procedure, please critique! [Re: Lucid_Euphoria]
#14427879 - 05/10/11 01:29 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
I'd perhaps skip the sand both in the mix and on top, and maybe just go equal parts coir + perlite.
10 mins in a microwave will do for sterilisation, ensuring it is kept damp whilst in there.
Avoid direct sunlight, especially when bagged up, they will cook. Bright shade is good.
|
Lucid_Euphoria
Sojourner


Registered: 03/23/05
Posts: 1,045
Loc: Flip Side
|
Re: First Timer: Loph Seed Procedure, please critique! [Re: Mostly_Harmless]
#14428733 - 05/10/11 08:19 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
Thanks for the tips MH.
Curious as to why not to use any sand though? I mean isn't sand one of thier natural soil elements?
I think I'm going to use artificial light until they germinate, since an overcast day won't yield them many sunrays. Once I know they've germinated I'll just throw them in a windowsill.
Anything else I should take note of?
-------------------- PAN CYAN & AZURE FOR TRADE "If ignorance is bliss, THEN KNOCK THE SMILE OFF MY FACE!" - Zach de la Rocha "Today a young man on acid realized that all matter is merely energy condensed to a slow vibration, that we are all one consciousness experiencing itself subjectively, there is no such thing as death, life is only a dream, and we are the imagination of ourselves. Here's Tom with the weather!" -Bill Hicks-
|
Lucid_Euphoria
Sojourner


Registered: 03/23/05
Posts: 1,045
Loc: Flip Side
|
Re: First Timer: Loph Seed Procedure, please critique! [Re: Lucid_Euphoria]
#14428988 - 05/10/11 09:25 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
Another thing I don't understand.
I've seen so many people say that you want to screen or sift your soil when sowing seeds, so that you get out large organic particles that come in the premixed cactus soils from stores.
Yet then people recommend using 50/50 coir and perlite. But wouldn't coir fall in the same category as the organic particles that people are recommending to sift out of mixes?
Just seems somewhat contradictory.
-------------------- PAN CYAN & AZURE FOR TRADE "If ignorance is bliss, THEN KNOCK THE SMILE OFF MY FACE!" - Zach de la Rocha "Today a young man on acid realized that all matter is merely energy condensed to a slow vibration, that we are all one consciousness experiencing itself subjectively, there is no such thing as death, life is only a dream, and we are the imagination of ourselves. Here's Tom with the weather!" -Bill Hicks-
|
Mostly_Harmless
wyrd bið ful aræd



Registered: 05/12/09
Posts: 5,043
Loc: Perfidious Albion
|
Re: First Timer: Loph Seed Procedure, please critique! [Re: Lucid_Euphoria]
#14429050 - 05/10/11 09:50 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
If you use the wrong sort of sand it can lead to problems, it will tend to bind together which isn't good.. seedlings might have problems getting roots through. Perlite and coir will give sufficient drainage without sand. You'd want sharp sand/horticultural/grit sand, whatever name it is going by in your area.
Expanded coir will be finer than what is sifted out of store bought potting mixes, quite thin and stringy.
But at the end of the day, there is as many soil mixes as there is growers. I try a few new things each year.
|
Lucid_Euphoria
Sojourner


Registered: 03/23/05
Posts: 1,045
Loc: Flip Side
|
Re: First Timer: Loph Seed Procedure, please critique! [Re: Mostly_Harmless]
#14429154 - 05/10/11 10:23 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
Ya I know to be careful of the type of sand.
I took Cactusdans recommendation on using pavers sand in my mix.
Also, I'm going to test out any other sand I get by watering some and seeing if it "cements" up when it dries.
Thanks again for your feedback!
-------------------- PAN CYAN & AZURE FOR TRADE "If ignorance is bliss, THEN KNOCK THE SMILE OFF MY FACE!" - Zach de la Rocha "Today a young man on acid realized that all matter is merely energy condensed to a slow vibration, that we are all one consciousness experiencing itself subjectively, there is no such thing as death, life is only a dream, and we are the imagination of ourselves. Here's Tom with the weather!" -Bill Hicks-
|
Doc_T
Random Dude




Registered: 03/06/09
Posts: 42,395
Loc: Colorado
|
Re: First Timer: Loph Seed Procedure, please critique! [Re: Lucid_Euphoria]
#14429327 - 05/10/11 11:13 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
Oh, I'm just starting with Lophs too! I have another thread going, people seem to agree that coir and pumice would be ideal, coir/perlite is ok too. Add some limestone.
-------------------- You make it all possible. Doesn't it feel good?
|
|