The windowsill adventure of my seeds

[MagiCarpus]

After my first failed attempt at transplanting seedlings, marked by the massacre of Melocactus matanzanus, I am proud to announce that transplantation of Echinocereus rogidissimus 'rubispinus' had been a success (and a relief too).

Granted, they are a much more rugged species than the tender Melocactus, it is a significant progress in my seed growing adventure nonetheless. In hindsight, always start with the easier species.

4 months ago...right after transplantation

Today...BOOM!

[greenknight]

See, I told you they'd be fine! I'm so happy they are, it makes it look like I know what I'm talking about.

Seriously, very nice results, congratulations.

[MagiCarpus]

I would say you do know what you're talking about, Spence. Your advice is integral to the success I've had and I appreciate every piece of it.

There is still a long journey ahead and a lot more questions yet to come, and I look forward to more of your tips !

By the way, buttons say hi!



A while ago...during crisis...

[greenknight]

That's great, you didn't lose a single one! One is a bit set back, but even it looks like it will make it - the others look fantastic!

[MagiCarpus]

More spring operations, let's hope things don't go awry this time

Copiapoa humilis tenuissima



Echinocereus pulchellus amoenus. These surprised me with tap roots.



ortegocactus macdougallii. So much of my effort is at stake here, as I have heard these are touchy. Roots looked delicate and I am definitely worried. Planning to water these after a week sitting in dry medium. Any other tips are welcomed. (Note: one of the seedlings appeared to be in cryosleep and hasn't really grown over the past 5 months...so not sure what's going on)


So far I kept these seedling completely dry in the new medium (80% pumice and 20% volcanic rocks) on my heating pad and shade them with paper, is this the right move?

[MagiCarpus]

When I started this log my intention was to solely focus on cacti, but I simply could not fend off a few mesembs creeping in.

Newly hatched Conophytum burgeri 1 week old



Lithops otzeniana 'aquamarine'

[MagiCarpus]

Getting these Echinocereus rigidissimus ready for sale at the show this Sunday. Sadly, I have to get rid of most of these babies as I am in dire need of space for additional sowing ...I planned to keep four of them for myself, and I couldn't pick the best ones

[MagiCarpus]

Looks like I got my summer's work cut out...



Here are they listed as following:

Ancistrocactus uncinatus (= Sclerocactus uncinatus)

Astrophytum asterias 'Super Kabuto'
Astrophytum myriostigma 'Quadricostatum'

Gymnocactus beguinii (= Turbinicarpus beguinii v. senilis?)

Mammillaria pectinifera
Mammillaria stampferi (= M. longiflora subs. stamferi?)

Turbinicarpus krainzianus ( = Turbinicarpus pseudomacrochele subs krainzianus ?)
Turbinicarpus swobodae

[MagiCarpus]

Happy Canada Day fellow Canadians! I hope you're all celebrating the big 150

I had the chance to transplant my Lophophora williamsii over the long weekend...

posing for glamour before being reinserted into dirt




and...all done


Some other seedling I managed to transplant a while ago...just didn't have the chance to show them on the thread last month.

Matucana madisoniorum


Matucana intertexta


Here are the Strombocactus disciformis, being lazy and not really doing any growing


I have to admit that I wasn't proud of the result of my first attempt in growing Lithops from seeds. Somehow perhaps through over fertilizing or inconsistent water regimen, many of them have cracked. Originally I thought I've overwatered them, but they started to shrivel up like raisins when I let them dried out, and as the result I've lost a few more seedlings.

The only comforting sight was that the true leaves on the remainders have begun to push out. Please let me know what I'm doing wrong, thanks!

Lithops otzeniana 'aquamarine'

[Grimm]

Wonderful baby cacti! Very inspiring

Sorry, can't advise on the lithops

[greenknight]

I've had Lithops seedlings that appeared totally dried out and dead push out a new set of leaves, so don't be quick to give up on them. Hard to kill them by under-watering, water them when they start to shrivel and they''ll do fine.

The Strombos are looking great. They're slow growing, don't try to push them.

[MagiCarpus]

Hi all, I've been busy and haven't had the chance to post.

Here are some sowing of summer 2017

Sown June 10th 2017

Turbinicarpus pseudomacrochele 'krainzianus'


Astrophytum asterias 'Super Kabuto', I was disappointed by the germination rate for this one


Astrophytum myriostigma 'quadricostatum'


Turbinicarpus swobodae


Mammillaria pectinifera

[ahmedhm]

Wow great

[MagiCarpus]

August 2017 seedling update photo dump...here we go!

photos are taken the same day as this post

**scroll up to see previous updates if you like to get a better idea of progress**

Sown 09/29/2016
Copiapoa humilis var. tenuissima


Sown 10/28/2016
Turbinicarpus valdezianus ... Can't seem to keep them clean


Echinocereus pulchellus 'amoenus'
One thing they seem to hate in life is grow For those who have tried these from seeds, are they really this slow?


Sown 10/29/2017
Epithelantha micromeris


Sown 02/04/2017
Obregonia denegrii
finally took them out of their bag at 6 month


Sown 02/22/2017
Mammillaria herrerae
root-rot claimed the life of one since last update...RIP


Mammillaria humboldtii


Mammillaria guelzowiana


Mammillaria zeilmanniana

__________________________________________________

Echinocereus rigidissimus 'rubispinus'
only 4 remained in my care as I sold/gave away the rest to make room for more plants


Last but not least...the new batch of Melocactus matanzanus I sowed last December after losing the entire first batch to post-transplant shock...I want these to survive!


That's it folks! Hope you enjoyed these!

[Robb]

Your seedlings look so great! I'm jealous of your herrerae seedlings as I ordered some from succseed, but by the time i'd ordered they'd sold out! Don't worry about the pulchellus being slow, I have some 2 year old seedlings that are easily half the size of yours! I think it's fair to say that your seedlings are a success!