Cactus from seed!!! Info/advice please.

[Lookin 2 Grow]

Hi guys,
here's my 1st attempt at growing Cacti from seed -

Picture 1

I have - Echinopsis Peruviana 'KK2147'
Echinopsis Peruviana 'KK242'
Echinopsis Lageniformis (Trichocereus bridgesii)

I wish to thank this site & every person that has contributed to the many informative Cacti threads/posts that have helped me learn.

1) First of all I mixed my cactus soil.

I used 1/3 Washed beach sand
1/3 Washed Perlite
1/3 Sifted Cacti Soil (sifted to remove the big chunks)

Picture 2

This was all mixed together & thrown into an oven proof baking dish. I prepared another oven baking dish with some extra washed sand also.

Picture 3

I then baked both dishes in the oven at 250 Celsius for an hour to dry & sterilize.

Picture 5

I got my seed trays ready in my humidity dome & when the soil mix & sand were cooled I filled the trays 1/2 way.
Seeds were sprinkled evenly over the top.

Picture 6

I added wet perlite to the tray to retain humidity inside & sifted a small amount of sand over the top of the trays..

Sweet, done for now!!



Now I have a huge bunch o' newbie question's that I have no idea about. Please if you know any of the answers your input would be much appreciated not only for me but anyone who is trying to attempt a cacti grow from seeds..

1) I haven't watered the seed trays yet.

Should I mist them finely?
mist them till damp?
drench the shit outta them?

2) I have a fluorescent light handy. Should I use this to propagate or use indirect sunlight?

If you think the fluorescent light would work best what light cycle should I use & how far above the trays approx should the lights be suspended?

3) What's % should the humidity be tried to keep around inside the dome during propagation?

4) Do the trays have to constantly be kept moist until the cacti mature a bit?

5) Is a heat mat necessary? I'm planning on not using one but I do have one available if it is a must..

I think that's it about now. If you know any of the answers please post a reply.

Cheers guys!!

L2G

[Shroomette]

Place them where they will receive maximum sunlight. You can also supplement this with a grow light or even florescent lights.
Your seeds will sprout at different times but you should see seedlings within 5 to 7 days.
Once the seedlings appear, use a spray bottle to mist the seedlings to keep them from drying out.
Remoisten the soil every 3 to 4 days for the first few weeks to prevent it from drying out.
Once they get bigger water them every 3-4 weeks as necessary

[dimension traveler]

sweet i'm stoked you just started this thread as I just started 60 lophophora williamssi seeds this same way and orderd bridgessi seeds which I should get in a couple days.
yea I also used 1/3 of each and sifted my soil as well. but did not cook, and sprayed mildly a organic fungiside. popped it on the heat mat 3 days ago by a south facing window, just a waiting for now.
sorry this also is my first time starting cacti from seed but from what I have dug up you want to soak the mixture but not drinching (to dry or to wet can prevent germination) and yes keep moist for the first few months that way they can get there roots started. I know that they defenantly need light to get them to germinate, I have seen done floresent but I love to give my plants sun if possible, when they do germinate tho watch them carfully because they can bearn real easilly when small, (to much heat they will turn redish orange). as far as humidity goes I have heard that 70-80% is adequate although I would guess mine is at 100% lol. Oh and if you do have a heat mat I would deffanantly reccomend it helps alot imop.
well I believe if you come close to these things listed and send them a little bit of your love you will defenantly have some cacti my friend good luck.

[Lookin 2 Grow]

Sweet, thanks guys.

I'm thinking about using the fluorescent light. Have you got any idea about the light cycle I should use?

[Irishlion]

Originally Posted by Lookin 2 Grow

Sweet, thanks guys.

I'm thinking about using the fluorescent light. Have you got any idea about the light cycle I should use?

16/8 would be fine man and make sure that (are you doing tube of CFL?) fluorescent light is about a foot above the trays no more than 2 feet and you will need a seedling heating mat as the soil temp must remain above 70 degrees. perferablly 85 is optimal for cacti.

[Lookin 2 Grow]

Originally Posted by Irishlion

16/8 would be fine man and make sure that (are you doing tube of CFL?) fluorescent light is about a foot above the trays no more than 2 feet and you will need a seedling heating mat as the soil temp must remain above 70 degrees. perferablly 85 is optimal for cacti.

Hmmmm, I'm not sure what type the light is, I found it in the attic.

It's just an old fish tank fluro light. The light has a purple tinge to it.

It's coming into summer here so the temps are floating around the 70-85 mark

Awesome, cheers for the help. I'll get em' going today & hopefully when they start coming through in a week or 2 I'll post an update.

[Irishlion]

Originally Posted by Lookin 2 Grow

Hmmmm, I'm not sure what type the light is, I found it in the attic.

It's just an old fish tank fluro light. The light has a purple tinge to it.

It's coming into summer here so the temps are floating around the 70-85 mark

Awesome, cheers for the help. I'll get em' going today & hopefully when they start coming through in a week or 2 I'll post an update.

I thin that should be enough for seedlings but, I would put it about 8 to 10 inch above them so they get a good amount of light

[Burger]

Originally Posted by Shroomette

Place them where they will receive maximum sunlight.

Maximum sunlight will likely burn young seedlings ime.

Fluorescent light, or filtered sunlight would be benificial for germinating/raising young seedlings.

If using a grow light (HID), be sure to distance it well from the medium, as it too, will likely cause burn to young seedlings.

Also Lookin 2 Grow, I would avoid using beach sand, it is generally to fine and not the best choice for cacti.

A coarse, sharp sand (propagation sand) would be better suited to your needs.

I agree with Irishlion regarding the heatmat. Bottom heat will give better germ & growth rates.

[copelandiaKidd]

I wish you the best of luck on this grow! Lots Of great vibes comin your way!!!!!!!!!


peace Brother

[Shroomette]

Originally Posted by Burger

Maximum sunlight will likely burn young seedlings ime.

Fluorescent light, or filtered sunlight would be benificial for germinating/raising young seedlings.

If using a grow light (HID), be sure to distance it well from the medium, as it too, will likely cause burn to young seedlings.

Also Lookin 2 Grow, I would avoid using beach sand, it is generally to fine and not the best choice for cacti.

A coarse, sharp sand (propagation sand) would be better suited to your needs.

I agree with Irishlion regarding the heatmat. Bottom heat will give better germ & growth rates.

If you read my post thoroughly you will see that I also, said; "You can also supplement this with a grow light or even florescent lights". That is why Irishlion backed me up because I'm still learning as I go.

[cachead]

Whats got me stumped is what amount of water should I start the seeds and my cutting off with? If any at all. Also I got two fluoros set up where I am growing the seeds and cutting. Do you guys think the fluoro is really necessary for the 2 foot cutting or will regular sunlight work good enough (room is well lit). Any more advice is super appreciated.

[Myc]

Lookin 2 grow,
Nice job! Looks like you have it down.
I like to poke holes in the bottom of my trays and "bottom water" or saturate the soil (by dunking them in a tray of water) rather than the seedlings along with the soil surface.
I used to mist and it works fine too. It's just messier with the overspray and all.

As for the flouros. I have first-hand experience growing Trichocereus, Ariocarpus, Astrophytum, other slow growers, etc.... From seed.
I use standard plant grow lamps for the first two years with an 18/6 lighting cycle. Heat mats ensure that soil temps stay in the 80*s

Use lamps in the 6000K or (6000 degrees Kelvin) range
This is blue - or vegetative - light and mimics summer lighting.
The lamp color is described as "natural sunshine"

[Lookin 2 Grow]

Originally Posted by Myc

Lookin 2 grow,
Nice job! Looks like you have it down.
I like to poke holes in the bottom of my trays and "bottom water" or saturate the soil (by dunking them in a tray of water) rather than the seedlings along with the soil surface.
I used to mist and it works fine too. It's just messier with the overspray and all.

Thanks Myc, I've misted but I might give your 'bottom watering' a try. If you look closely at the 4th pic you can see that I put drain holes in the containers by heating a fork on the stove & pushing that through. 4 times per container.

So how much water should I dunk it in? Obviously not dunk the tray above seed bed level!! right? Is the technique basically just to saturate the bottom of the soil mix a little to hold help with humidity? Also, how often should this be done? Once a week / fortnight? & should I keep misting also?

Sorry for all the Q's man, I just wanna have the best possible conditions for the little guys.

[Myc]

If you keep them under a seedling dome (as pictured), they should need watering when they dry out.
You'll begin to know by sight
And yes, don't float the containers in water.
Just fill a tray with a little room temperature water and nutes (as needed)
Set your trays in as little water as you like.
Capillary action will transfer the water (like a napkin) and the soil will darken as it saturates.

When the soil dries, you'll know by sight and repeat the process as necessary.

Hope this helps,
Myc

[dimension traveler]

i'm trying to germinate using just about the same tecknique. I was wondering if anyone has had a problem with getting them to germ if the soil mixture is to wet?

[Burger]

Originally Posted by Shroomette

If you read my post thoroughly you will see that I also, said; "You can also supplement this with a grow light or even florescent lights". That is why Irishlion backed me up because I'm still learning as I go.

I did read your post thoroughly Shroomette.

'maximum sunlight' will likely burn young seedlings, whether they are being supplemented with artificial light or not. Even weak artificial light in the form of flourescent tubes can cause burn when positioned too close during early stages of growth.

I'm not trying to be argumentative, just trying to help Lookin 2 Grow increase his chances of success, growing cacti from seed.

[Myc]

I'm with Burger here too.
Gotta be careful with flouros and young seedlings

My "sproutlings" are at least 34" away from the 4-lamp, 4-ft., grow lamps.
Some of the more sensitive varieties will turn red (sunburn) easily and need some form of shade.

I learned another hard lesson.
Without a day/night cycle, Lophophora won't germinate.
Don't put them in a 24/7 environment.

[dimension traveler]

myc when u say 24/7 day night environment you mean light right? and not temp. I ask because I have some lophs right now i'm trying to germ. I put a pillow case over them at night and remove during the day so they get filtered sunlight, but the temp stays about the same because I use a heat mat.

[Shroomette]

Btw Burger and Myc, I do agree but, as I said, I'm still in the process of learning and researching more into the cactus.