A General Method To germinate cactus seeds, use a fine mix of 1/3 washed sand, 1/3 cactus compost, and 1/3 perlite. Mix it thoroughly and put it in 10cm plastic pots or seed pans (with adequate drainage holes). Gently pat down the mix to eliminate large air pockets and smooth the surface with a straight edge.
Carefully sprinkle the seeds evenly over the surface. Try to ensure you leave a space of at least 2cm between each seed to prevent overcrowding later on. If the seeds are large, simply lay them on top of the soil. If they are very fine, mix them with sand or talcum powder to scatter them more evenly. Cover the surface with a layer of sand, perlite or vermiculite about twice the thickness of the seeds, and stand the pots in a shallow pan of room temperature water. When the water begins to rise to the surface, remove the container from the water. It is vital to maintain a high level of humidity. This can be achieved by placing the pots in a propagator, putting sheets of glass over the pots, or simply putting the pots in plastic bags. You will need to mist the pots daily with fine spray pump bottle. Do not let the compost fully dry out, and do not saturate it either, both extremes will prevent germination.
If posible, you should provide bottom heat, or keep the pots in a place where the temperature can be kept around 25°C, or 33°C daytime maximum and 15°C night-time minimum.
Under these conditions the seeds may germinate in one week, otherwise they may take significantly longer. Cacti seedlings are prone to 'damping-off' fungus, a fuzzy mould which grows on the surface of the soil and the plants. An application of Cheshunt Compound whilst misting will usually prevent/cure this. Once the seeds begin germination, stop misting the seedlings and provide water from underneath (as in the first watering).
Once the seeds have germinated, ensure the pots receive adequate lighting, either natural or fluorescent. If you are growing under natural light do not let harsh direct light reach the seedlings as they will burn. A cotton cloth or tissue paper will provide decent shading. If possible aim for a day lenght of 16-18 hours.
Over a period of months, gradually acclimatise the seedlings to warmer, drier, and brighter conditions. Water less often, but apply a greater quantity of water each time. After about six months, the seedlings can be set in the same conditions as other cacti. Also, you can begin applying fertaliser at 1/4 recommended strength.
When they are one to two years old or crowded enough to be just about touching each other, transplant into individual pots. Some quick growing, or very spiny species may need transplanting much sooner.
this is the method the above posted had a link to^^^^^^^
i dont agree with it 100%
get a pie tin with a lid, poke holes in the bottom, fill with cactus soil, soak and let drain, spread seeds on surface, gentely press the seeds in to the soil with a bottle top,do not cover seeds with soil!!
then take a spray bottle spray the inside of the cover and top of the soil once or twice, place in a warm place in low light for a week.
keep the humidity up and the lid on for 6-8 weeks,i use fluros for the first 5-6 months, after 6-8 weeks you can start to take the lid off a little bit each day until it is off all the time.
good luck
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Edited by royer9864 (12/12/07 06:48 AM)
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Quote:
royer9864 said: get a pie tin with a lid, poke holes in the bottom, fill with cactus soil, soak and let drain, spread seeds on surface, gently press the seeds in to the soil with a bottle top,do not cover seeds with soil!!
then take a spray bottle spray the inside of the cover and top of the soil once or twice, place in a warm place in low light for a week.
keep the humidity up and the lid on for 6-8 weeks,i use fluros for the first 5-6 months, after 6-8 weeks you can start to take the lid off a little bit each day until it is off all the time
good luck
I use this method with a mix of organic compost, course sand,a little perlite,and a teaspoon of plaster of Paris, which is only lime and gypsum. Maybe a LITTLE time release fert. I also use an aggregate on the surface like Arkalite or washed parakeet grit from a pet store but I don't think the aggregate is 100% necessary. good luck again-knoa
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