I wonder how encounterability data was acquired, since encounterability is highly dependent on location, even within the same country. One should also question how current that data is. I believe cactiguide doesn't provide any "last updated" dates. So it's very likely that the "extrem...

I don't know about it growing pups, but I believe this species is self-fertile, so you could sow the seeds and propagate that way. That is , if you don't mind the wait for them to grow

I haven't stored any seeds longer than a couple months, but I would assume cool and dry would be best. I supposed that is not much help for your case in particular

I think those forms can make for interesting plants, but I am not a fan of them and would not go out of my way to acquire one. The one cristate cactus I do like is the crested form of Myrtillocactus geometrizans. I find it very sculptural, almost baroque.

Hello! Batch 6 was sown on April 10. These are the last of the seeds I have planned to sow this year. I sowed a total of 59 different species, 11 mesembs and 48 cacti (over 1380 seeds!) Purchased from ADBLPS Epithelantha bokei (SB416) Frailea atrobella (VoS08-322) Gymnocalycium bruchii v. niveum (WR...

Looking good so far!

Interesting indeed! I wonder about that tea bag method for the harder to germinate cactus seeds. I believe the tannins in tea are acidic and have antifungal properties? Perhaps the tannins could speed up germination? Or maybe the tannins will kill the seedlings' first roots?

Hello! It took a while for me to find some time to sow the next batch, but here are the results! Batch 5 was sown on April 3. Purchased from Mesa Garden Ariocarpus scaphirostris (SB829) Ariocarpus trigonus 'elongatus' Copiapoa longistaminea (KK194) Copiapoa uhligiana (KK1398) Echinocereus fitchii 'r...

During the same week I received my shipment from ADBLPS, I also received my shipment from Koehres, but as luck would have it, US Customs seized and destroyed that shipment and left me a little note. :( Luckily I only ordered 4 seed packets from Koehres so not much was lost. I did order 3 times as ma...

For the next batch, I simply went off the script and lightly poked the hilum....with a much greater successful germination rate. :shock: Talk about high risk, high reward! I just may try this on some of the sclerocactus seeds I've yet to sow. Also, thanks for the video link! I have to say I didn't ...

If you keep the seedlings wet they need to be free of fungus. I grow mine in air don't use plastic anymore, it works but probably they grow slower . Yours look good to me I have trouble with the echinocactus and dinteranthus vanzylii. Some of the other species I've never tried. I've always wondered...

Very ambitious and obviously, thus far, successful, too! Keep us updated as the seedlings progress, please and thank you. Welcome to the Cactiguide forum! Steve PS - I have a small start of first attempt at cacti seedling growing. A couple of Sclero species in there, too. I poked the seeds vs sandi...

I would also try to bury carefully with a sterile wood stick those seedlings with roots sitting on the surface. Also to remove quick empty seed shells: this is the organic substrate that fungi need to grow. I have buried some of the seedlings deeper (the roots of the Pediocactus and Sclerocactus se...

Batch 3 was sown on February 25. Purchased from Mesa Garden Copiapoa lembckei (KK70) Coryphantha echinoidea 'schwarziana' Echinocactus horizonthalonius (SNL94) Gymnocalycium schickendantzii (P17A) Lobivia haematantha v. rebutioides (R585A) Mammillaria pectinifera Pediocactus knowltonii (SB304) Pelec...

Wait for those to get little larger and to develop some spines on the top. Leave them 2 - 3 months in the bags, if no mould there is not worry about. Never tried micorizae inoculation with seedlings and not sure if this will work. Sterilisation with MWvs, esp. over dry mix is usually not good enoug...