Propagation of asterias from seed

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Hanazono
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Re: Propagation of asterias from seed

Post by Hanazono »

3 years old seedlings are set in 50 mm square tubes.
Pot size will be increased to meet body size gradually after that.
I use 65 mm, 80 mm, 90 mm and 125 mm square pots.
150 mm U-pot will be used when 125 mm square pot became tight.

12 of seedlings in 65 mm square pots were necessary to repot and repotted into 80 mm square pots yesterday.
12 of seedlings in 50 mm square tubes were also repotted into 65 mm square pots because of the above reason.

Seedlings in 65 mm square pots, before repotting
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After repotting into 80 mm square pots
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Seedlings in 50 mm square tubes, before repotting
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After repotting into 65 mm square pots
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Some asterias were repotted into 150 mm U-pots lately.
Super kabuto
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Miracle kabuto
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Hanazono kabuto
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dreadnot
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Re: Propagation of asterias from seed

Post by dreadnot »

Will you share seeds in the future?
jcal
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Re: Propagation of asterias from seed

Post by jcal »

Your grow area is very clean. Just as beautiful as the plants themselves. Your collection is the best I have seen.
If you do ever decide to sell seed I also am very interested.
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Hanazono
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Re: Propagation of asterias from seed

Post by Hanazono »

Several seedlings of miracle kabuto sown seeds in 2012 pushed flowering buds up.
I have removed all flowering buds to encourage the growing of body.
The photo is one of them, in a 5 cm square pot.
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Pushrestart
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Re: Propagation of asterias from seed

Post by Pushrestart »

You are creating art, its gone beyond just plants. Fantastic growing as always. =D>
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Hanazono
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Re: Propagation of asterias from seed

Post by Hanazono »

Thanks Pushrestart for your comment.

Miracle kabuto was found in habitat in 1980s.
It was just one plant and mixed various forms asterias later.
The main character of this asterias is the mutation of flecking.

The seedling on the photo is still young and not showing the mutation of flecking yet.
The good looking appearance is the original character of miracle kabuto, not created.
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Hanazono
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Re: Propagation of asterias from seed

Post by Hanazono »

This asterias, ooibo ruri kabuto also push flowering buds up.
Seeds were also sown in 2012.

It is thought senile's gene mixed and is not a normal asterias nudum.
The body will turn to ruri color ( lapis lazuli ) when the plant reached to a mature age.

I removed all flowering buds.

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keith
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Re: Propagation of asterias from seed

Post by keith »

I have trouble with asterias. Here are 3 surviors from 6 all from seed 10 years old. Just normal ones. Looks like you don't have much trouble with them. Mine get Orange rot in cool weather if wet or just rot for no reason I can see. I really like them though when they get big so I keep trying. I have seedlings going as my backup and these were backup plants at one time so they grow pretty fast.

Cut the tap roots I should try that.
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Hanazono
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Re: Propagation of asterias from seed

Post by Hanazono »

Mortality rate of asterias has been improved by following two changes.

- Cutting tap roots of seedlings
- Changing potting mix from silica base sand to pumice sand

But it is still not perfect, some seedlings rot by unknown reason.
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Hanazono
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Re: Propagation of asterias from seed

Post by Hanazono »

I keep 160 miracle kabuto seedlings, sown seed in 2012.

Some of them have started to show the character of "Miracle".
The shape of miracle kabuto flecks are similar to petals of cherry flower.
I have selected the best 3.
The size of them is around 45 mm in diameter.

A typical miracle
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Very fine flecking
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Fluffy flecking
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Hanazono
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Re: Propagation of asterias from seed

Post by Hanazono »

Updated miracle kabuto photos taken in this morning

Sown seeds in 2012
Posted photo on 6 Feb 2016 once
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Sown seeds in 2013
Posted photo on 16th Mar 2016 once
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snarfie
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Re: Propagation of asterias from seed

Post by snarfie »

I enjoyed reading this topic, and also seeing your plants and their development. I am going to start red flowering A. asterias from seed and als A. caput-medusae, do you have any tips for germinating the seeds?
Young professional amateur in Schlumbergera and Rhipsalidopsis growing and hybridizing
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Hanazono
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Re: Propagation of asterias from seed

Post by Hanazono »

I think the critical parameter of germination success rate of Astrophytum including 2 species which you mentioned is the freshness of seeds.
If seeds are within 1 year from the harvest, you can get a reasonable success rate.

The optimum germination temperature is a bit higher than other cacti.
It is around 30 C'.

Seeds are relatively large.
I use top dressing material, similar size to seeds.

I think the germination will start 3~4 days after sowing and complete within 2 weeks.
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snarfie
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Re: Propagation of asterias from seed

Post by snarfie »

Thanks, one seedcoat was broken when i got the seeds, and that seed looked healthy and not shriveled, i'll try to keep them as close to 30°c as possible, but won't be ideal as i don't have a heating pad.
Young professional amateur in Schlumbergera and Rhipsalidopsis growing and hybridizing
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Hanazono
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Re: Propagation of asterias from seed

Post by Hanazono »

I sowed asterias seeds with broken husks before.
The germination were as same as normal ones.
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