Cactus Germination & Grow Log

[ThirdEyeVision]

I had a good germination rate using 1/3 soil, 1/3 sand, 1/3 perlite. The mix was microwaved for 10 minutes, then placed in small aluminum containers (the ones for food), the seeds placed, and then soaked with distilled water (10ml H2O2/1l H2O).

The temperature oscillates between 20°C and 26°C with a 18hs/24hs photoperiod.

Are you using a well-known method? I found out that experimenting with other conditions/mixtures ended up being worse.

Method is typical. In greenhouse at 75-80 temp and 90% humidity with grow light on 24/7. Soils is also typical, 50/50 mix of soil and perlite.

Only thing different is the GA3 soak but that was only on half of the seeds. So that isn't the problem. I honestly think I got sold old seeds.

 

[ThirdEyeVision]

You still got zero germination? Seems like the conditions you describe would have germinated something by now...

Absolutly nothing. Zippo. Nada. Zilch.
The only thing I can think is I got sold very very old seeds.

 

[ThirdEyeVision]

I'm ordering more this week from a better vndor.

 

[Adivino]

I should report an impressive record in my experience: I started germinating T. pachanoi seeds 5 days ago and I'm already seeing some sprouts! I really can't believe it!

 

[ThirdEyeVision]

I should report an impressive record in my experience: I started germinating T. pachanoi seeds 5 days ago and I'm already seeing some sprouts! I really can't believe it!

That is great news! What were your conditions? Where did you get your seeds? I'm ordering some from Sacred Succulants next.

 

[corpus callosum]

I bought some Trichcereus Peruvianus/Pachanoi seeds a year ago and didnt get round to planting them till about 4 weeks ago.

I used equal parts of coarse grit, sand and compost for succulents and put them in one of those plastic propogating trays with 15 compartments and liberally sprinked some seeds in each compartment.

I added a little water to the metal tray upon which the propogating tray stood, covered it with cling-film and let it stand out in whatever sunshine we've had here in the UK.

This morning each compartment has between 5 to 10 little sprouters visible, each being approximately 2-4mm in size.

My question for those better versed in cacti cultivation than myself is:

Should I just let the process continue for now and at what size should I be thinking of transplanting them so there are one (or ? more) per compartment?In some of the compartments they seem to be very close together.

So far, these little beauties seem extremely forgiving and easy to cultivate.I've been surprised by how many have actually germinated-the seeds must have been pretty good!!

 

[Adivino]

ThirdEyeVision, a fast description: 30% cactus soil, 30% perlite, 30% sand, 10% pine compost (I'm not sure what it's called in english). The mixture was microwaved for 10min at 100% in an apt container and placed in the growing containers. The soil was then fully soaked with 10ml H2O2 in 1l H2O, and the seeds placed. Plastic wrap was used to close the containers. All the containers and tools were first sterilized with warm water/soap and then ethanol. The growing conditions are: 16h photoperiod, 26°C, ~3000lux.

I bought them at a local store; none of the well-known online stores. I hope that your new seeds will germinate!

 

[DoctorMantus]

Just stuck some peruvians in some planters, now not being experiences at all, i hope that my soil perlite mix will work good.

I have a nice big light, that is for vegetation, so light is not an issue, and i have stuck them in plastic bags with breathe holes, to keep the humidity and moisture up.

Its a full moon, and wanted to stick some seeds down, i am hoping to have progress.

One questioned i had was do i need sand if i don't have any?

I will be replying if i get any success.

 

[AlbertKLloyd]

I've always had bad germination results with pre-soaking.
I've had far better results just surface sowing and not covering the seed.
I have even gone so far as to soak some seed and sow others from the same batch to compare and pre-soaking resulted in lower germ rates by almost 20% in my experiments.

Covering the seeds also doesn't seem to offer an advantage in my experience. Surface sowing is ideal and highly effective. I also do not sterilize my media, it makes them grow weaker and slower and has no real advantage.

Also I avoid high humidity. If the medium is moist then you are fine. These things are so easy to germinate, I have had great results just pouring them on some dirt, spraying it to make it wet and just leaving them alone and watering them a little bit every couple of days to keep the medium a bit moist, but never wet.

I've grown many thousands of more than a dozen types of cacti from seed over more than 10 years.
They are probably the easiest thing to grow from seed that I can think of, far easier than cannabis or most vegetables.

 

[Ice House]

Wow! Wonderful thread!!! ThirdEyeVision Beautifully done! The love and care that goes into this is sooo obvious in this wonderfully documented thread, I love threads like this! Thanks for sharing. I'm sorry soome of your seeds didnt germinate but its obvious you got it goin on there, Very Nicely Done!!!

Namaste,

Ice House

 

[purelyscientific]

Thirdeye, I think the layer of perlite you put on top of them was too thick. Everyone I have talked to has told me they only need a few grains of sand on top of them. I started mine a week or 2 ago and already have a sprout as of last night. 8)

 

[lobo]

I buy 200 seeds last week of 60 de T. werdermanianus, 20 de T. bridgesii, 50 de T. pachanoi, 30 de T. cuzcoensis y 40 de T. macrogomus. I use a sustrate of more or less 30% soil, 15%vermiculite, 15% perlite and 30 % sand....

Four day to now... and waiting the germination...