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bootster


Registered: 02/22/11 
Posts: 1,531
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What to do now?
#19333136 - 12/27/13 02:06 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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I was shipped a package from the UK that had all kinds of goodies in it. I was shipped some seeds, but there was no writing on the package. I'm 100% sure that they are an active variety but don't know what they are.



I know because he sent me these

And these


I've never grown them from seed before. I know you guys are experts in cultivation from seed. What do I do next? There was only one last night and I happened to glance over at them and couldn't believe my eyes.
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intelligentlife
Noaidi



Registered: 10/18/10
Posts: 2,627
Loc: EU
Last seen: 7 years, 4 months
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Re: What to do now? [Re: bootster]
#19333251 - 12/27/13 02:48 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Just chill, forget them.. They are desert plants.. You can sow, let them grow and when surface seems to be dry, moist some with sprinkle of water spray..
Anyway, if you can't achieve relatively high day time temperatures I could advice you to slow down the watering, you can easily kill seedlings to root rot with water but they are way more forgiving to dehydration.
When I experienced lots of seedlings died without reason.. these sudden deaths doesn't happened me after I started to use artificial environment where day temperatures are almost +30-40C and night +15-20C.
Varying temperatures improve germination and decrease sudden root rot deaths along seedlings.
If you can achieve this kind of environment to seedlings without extra heating, then just basically forget them and water when they seems to start shrink..
You will learn by doing, it's hard to explain everything, just hold your hand with water spray bottle.
IF you find seedlings looking ok and think of watering them, wait few days or maybe week before you spray some water above them.
I find out one rule is not always ok: "water when surface of soil is dry" -don't do this if you can't give hot day temperatures.. If temperatures are almost constantly same, just skip spraying times and spray only when you see signs of dehydration.
When seedlings dehydrate they go soft and purple, it's not bad for them if you don't keep them too long in serious drought.. I can for sure say most people kill their seedlings by caring them too much.. I know easy 3 step way to grow: 1. Sow 2. Forget 3. Master the art of "not watering yet, maybe some another day"
Feel and look the seedlings what they are up to, if they are ok, don't water, wait few days or week, or month, depends on age of seedling. People who forget and don't care much to water their cacti seedlings seems to handle their plants best and good.
It is easy to grow cactus from seed, but it's not easy to control "do not water yet"-part for most people. I have even succeed to grow trichos without any humidity bags or sterilized soil etc, just throw seeds to cactus soil and forget them literally.
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KBG1977
Registered: 08/23/08
Posts: 11,017
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Them packages from the UK,always have some good stuff in em
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bootster


Registered: 02/22/11 
Posts: 1,531
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Re: What to do now? [Re: KBG1977]
#19333410 - 12/27/13 03:33 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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The package of seeds I received were cultivated by the guy who shipped them. They aren't commercial.
Thank you intelligentlife. I already knew the fact that caring for them too much will hurt/kill them. That was a good write up. I appreciate it.
Your a hoot KBG1977. Thanks.
The next step is to thin them out, correct? I will keep you abreast of the situation.
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karode13
Tāne Mahuta




Registered: 05/19/05
Posts: 15,290
Loc: LV-426
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Re: What to do now? [Re: bootster]
#19333818 - 12/27/13 05:44 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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No thinning out necessary. Cactus seeds can grow cheek to jowl without any problems.
Just let them grow over the next few days, then post another picture so we can see if the light levels are correct.
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KBG1977
Registered: 08/23/08
Posts: 11,017
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Re: What to do now? [Re: bootster]
#19333839 - 12/27/13 05:48 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Quote:
bootster said: The package of seeds I received were cultivated by the guy who shipped them. They aren't commercial.
Thank you intelligentlife. I already knew the fact that caring for them too much will hurt/kill them. That was a good write up. I appreciate it.
Your a hoot KBG1977. Thanks.
The next step is to thin them out, correct? I will keep you abreast of the situation.
hehe,keep us posted for sure!
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bootster


Registered: 02/22/11 
Posts: 1,531
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Re: What to do now? [Re: karode13]
#19334180 - 12/27/13 07:27 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Quote:
karode13 said: No thinning out necessary. Cactus seeds can grow cheek to jowl without any problems.
Just let them grow over the next few days, then post another picture so we can see if the light levels are correct.

Should I start another tray? I have Poppies to attend to as well.
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karode13
Tāne Mahuta




Registered: 05/19/05
Posts: 15,290
Loc: LV-426
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Re: What to do now? [Re: bootster]
#19334265 - 12/27/13 07:56 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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If you have the room then certainly. I think it would be wise to see how these do over a few months, if you've got the skills then you can sow the rest. Nothing sucks more than losing all your seedlings at once.
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bootster


Registered: 02/22/11 
Posts: 1,531
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Re: What to do now? [Re: bootster]
#19334351 - 12/27/13 08:18 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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You've read my mind.
Thanks again, bootster
This is how many I have left.

I think I'll sow one more tray and save the rest for backup. Sound like a plan?
Done deal!
Edited by bootster (12/27/13 11:38 PM)
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intelligentlife
Noaidi



Registered: 10/18/10
Posts: 2,627
Loc: EU
Last seen: 7 years, 4 months
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Re: What to do now? [Re: bootster]
#19335175 - 12/28/13 12:44 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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I would not be even considered about if I had a bottom heat to these boxes, then puncture some holes (2-3mm round) to cap of tray. Holes at cap and heating from below causes day time "passive" air circulation but not too much cause moisture will stay there.
That's basically what I do when I grow cactus from seed. Holes to bag/dome/cap etc, heat pads basically increase the airflow little bit and humidity as well.
If you obtain small light bulb and bottom heat pad, I can tell you there is very small chance you f*ck up the youngsters. Light bulb you don't need if you can get light from window. Also don't let heating pad let heat over night so timer is good companion for you.
That way you can puncture few holes to cover, let excess heat come as air flow and spray water when surface of soil is dry.
I have actually success without any equipment the germination and growing, but most of the times I f*cked up at 4-6month point when watering feels I'm just killing them.. It was very hard to water properly young cacti when temperature was constantly same..
Actually I have killed so many seedlings I think to quit grow cacti from seed but then I heard about using same cheap heating mats people use for reptiles, they're water tolerant and so on. They don't heat up so much, cacti seedlings just love it.
I think no matter where you are, heat mats are very good to grow cactus from small seed to young firm adult fast and easier. I can say extra heating from below during day light helps you with watering. It's not bad to use and I have find out pet stores sell these water tolerant electric heaters and some of them have really cheap but good ones.
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bootster


Registered: 02/22/11 
Posts: 1,531
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Thanks. I think I have one. If not I'll get one.
What is your hole size/configuration in the lids? I already have holes in the bottom corners and midway on each side. The caps aren't on snug, just sitting on top of the trays for ventilation.
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bootster


Registered: 02/22/11 
Posts: 1,531
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UPDATE: I just put them on a heat mat yesterday and took some updated pics. I think I need a few more holes in my lids.


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ferrel_human
stone eater



Registered: 06/26/09
Posts: 16,342
Loc: Texas
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Re: What to do now? [Re: bootster]
#19346312 - 12/30/13 01:28 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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I love the trays man. Where they from? I use catering trays.
-------------------- Nature is my church and walking through it is gospel. It tells no lies and reveals all to those who look, and listen, closely. -Karode
 Looking for Mimosa tenuiflora seeds. Buttons for trade
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KBG1977
Registered: 08/23/08
Posts: 11,017
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Quote:
ferrel_human said: I love the trays man. Where they from? I use catering trays.
I got tons of those trays ferrel! Various food items are sold in them at the supermarket/fast food restaurants
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ferrel_human
stone eater



Registered: 06/26/09
Posts: 16,342
Loc: Texas
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Re: What to do now? [Re: KBG1977]
#19346459 - 12/30/13 02:05 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Yeah they badass
-------------------- Nature is my church and walking through it is gospel. It tells no lies and reveals all to those who look, and listen, closely. -Karode
 Looking for Mimosa tenuiflora seeds. Buttons for trade
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KBG1977
Registered: 08/23/08
Posts: 11,017
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Quote:
ferrel_human said: Yeah they badass
they germinate all types of seeds flawlessly
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ferrel_human
stone eater



Registered: 06/26/09
Posts: 16,342
Loc: Texas
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Re: What to do now? [Re: KBG1977]
#19346476 - 12/30/13 02:08 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Great for cloning kratom
-------------------- Nature is my church and walking through it is gospel. It tells no lies and reveals all to those who look, and listen, closely. -Karode
 Looking for Mimosa tenuiflora seeds. Buttons for trade
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bootster


Registered: 02/22/11 
Posts: 1,531
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Re: What to do now? [Re: KBG1977]
#19346478 - 12/30/13 02:09 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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OK fellas, is that moisture collecting on the top a bad thing? I only have four small holes in the lids. Those containers are what they serve chinese food entrees around here.
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KBG1977
Registered: 08/23/08
Posts: 11,017
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Quote:
ferrel_human said: Great for cloning kratom
good for rooting anything Moisture is a good thing bootster
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ferrel_human
stone eater



Registered: 06/26/09
Posts: 16,342
Loc: Texas
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Re: What to do now? [Re: bootster]
#19346531 - 12/30/13 02:18 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Thats fine for seedling but ween them off moisture as soon as possible. Too much humidity tends to bring on the nasties. Even still, no ventikation gives way too white fuzz which I was able to control on the windowsill with some h2o2.
-------------------- Nature is my church and walking through it is gospel. It tells no lies and reveals all to those who look, and listen, closely. -Karode
 Looking for Mimosa tenuiflora seeds. Buttons for trade
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