Am I doing it right and other questions ...

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J-M
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Am I doing it right and other questions ...

Post by J-M »

Hello,

I started some seeds of Coryphantha vivipara and Echinocereus engelmannii almost 2 months ago. I used seedling trays in the baggy method. Since then I had to open the baggy every 2-3 weeks to add a little bit of boiled rain water because the surface of the mix (50% seedlings potting mix and 50% perlite/grit) is starting to dry. I have a 24'' T5HO fluo 5 inches above the seedlings, probably it is producing too much heat.

I planned to leave the seedlings in the baggy for another 4-5 months (6-7 months total) and remove them only in spring. Do you think rot can be an issue at some point ?

Also from your experience are the seedlings growing at a normal rate ?

Pictures show both species after 3 and 7 weeks :
Attachments
C. vivipara 3 weeks old
C. vivipara 3 weeks old
Coryphantha_vivipara_3semaines.jpg (89.64 KiB) Viewed 962 times
C. vivipara 7 weeks old
C. vivipara 7 weeks old
Coryphantha_vivipara_7semaines.jpg (81.31 KiB) Viewed 962 times
E. engelmannii 3 weeks old
E. engelmannii 3 weeks old
Echinocereus_engelmannii_3semaines.jpg (115.3 KiB) Viewed 962 times
E. engelmannii 7 weeks old
E. engelmannii 7 weeks old
Echinocereus_engelmannii_7semaines.jpg (71.64 KiB) Viewed 962 times
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ElieEstephane
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Re: Am I doing it right and other questions ...

Post by ElieEstephane »

These are looking very healthy! As for when to open the baggy, as long as they are not rotting and you don't have algae outbreak you can leave the bag closed.
There are more cacti in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
One of the few cactus lovers in Lebanon (zone 11a) :mrgreen:
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J-M
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Location: Quebec, Canada

Re: Am I doing it right and other questions ...

Post by J-M »

Thank you.
Is there a way to prevent rot while leaving them in the baggy ?
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ElieEstephane
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Re: Am I doing it right and other questions ...

Post by ElieEstephane »

As soon as rot starts, you gotta open the baggy.
There are more cacti in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
One of the few cactus lovers in Lebanon (zone 11a) :mrgreen:
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7george
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Re: Am I doing it right and other questions ...

Post by 7george »

J-M wrote:Thank you.
Is there a way to prevent rot while leaving them in the baggy ?
Keep the temperature high, like 30 - 35 degr. C and rot will be less likely. But opening bags often may bring inside harmful spores. My way was to store lot of water inside (a real pool at bottom) to withstand bags sealed at least for 3 months. After that term, to keep seedlings inside healthy, everything (soil, seeds, pots) should be very well sterilized before to start. Inspect seedling regularly: if you see signs of disease, open that bag and dry them up - after 3 months seedlings will be large enough to wait at moderate temps for the spring sunshine even without moisturizing.
If your cacti mess in your job just forget about the job.
°C = (°F - 32)/1.8
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J-M
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Re: Am I doing it right and other questions ...

Post by J-M »

Ok temp is actually around 29 C (84 f) during the day and 24 C (77 f) during the night. I will rise it a little bit like you suggest. No rot for now. They will be 3 months old in 2 weeks, they start to look more like their parents now !
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J-M
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Re: Am I doing it right and other questions ...

Post by J-M »

Here is an update after 4 months.

The pictures does not clearly show it, but the vivipara seedlings are not as chubby as the engelmannii ones. They have the same amount of light, so I guess it is still their juvenile form ?

Escobaria vivipara =
Coryphantha_vivipara_16semaines.jpg
Coryphantha_vivipara_16semaines.jpg (106.18 KiB) Viewed 626 times
Echinocereus engelmannii =
Echinocereus_engelmannii_16semaines.jpg
Echinocereus_engelmannii_16semaines.jpg (119.78 KiB) Viewed 626 times
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Coryphantha_vivipara_16semaines.jpg
Coryphantha_vivipara_16semaines.jpg (106.18 KiB) Viewed 628 times
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ElieEstephane
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Re: Am I doing it right and other questions ...

Post by ElieEstephane »

That's very good progress for 4 months. Keep it up!
There are more cacti in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
One of the few cactus lovers in Lebanon (zone 11a) :mrgreen:
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7george
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Re: Am I doing it right and other questions ...

Post by 7george »

The pictures does not clearly show it, but the vivipara seedlings are not as chubby as the engelmannii ones. They have the same amount of light, so I guess it is still their juvenile form ?
Yes, still juvenile looking, esp. Echinocereus ones. E. vivipara at this size already has brown centrals as we can see. Good job!
Are these E. vivipara seedlings from Canadian or from more southern origin?
If your cacti mess in your job just forget about the job.
°C = (°F - 32)/1.8
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