Propagation Ariocarpus fom seed

[Hanazono]

Seedlings sown seeds in 2008 and 2007

A. reusus related cultivars, they have not been in flower yet.
65 mm square pots are used.

[Hanazono]

Seedlings sown seeds in 2006

A. retusus releted culitars and fissuratus
They are all flowering age.

[Hanazono]

Seedlings sown seeds in 2005

Ariocarpus retusus v furfuraceus cv Daruma royal
These 2 are oldest Ariocarpus which were harvested seeds from my plant and sown by myself.
They are in 12 cm square pots.

[Hanazono]

I repotted 35 of A. kotschoubeyanus v elephantideus into 5 cm square tubes.
They were sown seeds in 2012 and the photo before the repotting was posted on 23rd February.

They were forced to etiolate under wet and soft sunlight environment for 3 and a half years.
I have to return them to the normal condition gradually by using shade cloth.

[Hanazono]

I could make a space for 4 pots in a wet-box for Ariocarpus seedlings.
Since I had many seedlings sown seeds in 2014 which had not been repotted yet, some of them were repotted in this time, 25 seedlings per pot.

(19) A. retusu v furfuraceus cv Suguri-cauliflower

(25) A. kotschoubeyanus v elephantideus

(26) A. kotschoubeyanus f Rio Verde

(27) A. retusus v furfuraceus cv Daruma royal

[Hanazono]

As a trial, I sowed seeds of A. retusus v jermilae in a 20 cm x 30 cm plastic box in September 2012.
I have tried to keep them without the repotting as long as possible.
They have experienced various problems but they have survived anyhow.
I took the photo in this morning.

[Hanazono]

I have seen flowers of all Ariocarpus species which I propagated from seed without the grafting, except one.
I sowed seeds of A. bravoanus v hintonii in September 2006.
Only 2 seedlings have survive but I have not seen their flower yet.

They were repotted in this morning but they have still in 5 cm square tubes.
The photo is one of them.

[Hanazono]

My main greenhouse is not so small, 12 m x 6 m but there is space limitation.
I repotted 35 of A. retusus related seedlings in this morning and made space for 4 of 10 cm square pots in wet-boxes.
Seeds were sown in 2012.

Seedlings after removed from pots
31: A. retusus v bicolor
3: A. retusus
1: A. retusus v elongatus

Seedlings were in 5 cm square tubes immediately without drying process.

[Hanazono]

I found a space for 5 pots in a wet-box and repotted Ariocarpus seedlings into 3 pots.

(12) A. bravoanus

(16) A. bravoanus v hintonii

(21) A. retusus v elongatus

[Hanazono]

Autumn has been in here.
70 seedlings sown seeds in 2012 were repotted today.

Before repotting, in 10 cm square pots
(22) A. retusus v bicolor

(18) A. retusus cv mitsuibo botan (tri-fingers)

Mixed (22) and (18)


After repotting, 35 seedlings in 5 cm square tubes
(22) A. retusus v bicolor

(18) A. retusus cv mitsuibo botan

[Hanazono]

The repotting of Ariocarpus seedlings have been continued.
I collected 24 seedlings of kotschoybeyanus f Rio Berde from 3 pots and repotted in this morning.
Seeds were sown in 2012.

Before repotting

After repotting in 5 cm square tubes
Tubercles are still juvenile ones.

[HP22B]

You say some of these are forced to etiolate for 3 and a half years, why is this done?

[Hanazono]

The growing speed of these age for Ariocarpus seedlings is critical.
If you gave too strong light to them, their body color turns to reddish brown and stunted the growing.
If you created this situation once, you have to spend months for the recovering.

If you could maintain the body color as "light-green"by the etiolating, seedlings will grow continuously without stunting.

A frequent repotting i.e. twice of repottings per year in spring and autumn is also one of good methods to accelerate growing speed but it is too much for me.
I have too many seedlings.

I can not tell exact age but it may 5~7 years old, Aricarpus will grow rapidly.

[Hanazono]

I repotted 6 species of Ariocarpus seedlings in this morning.
25 seedlings are in each 10 cm square pot, 150 seedlings in total.
Seeds were sown in 2014.

Seedlings are:
(12) A. bravoanus
(13) A. agavoides
(15) A. fissuratus v intermedius
(21) A. retusus v elongatus
(25) A. kotschoubeyanus v elephantideus
(26) A. kotschoubeyanus f Rio Verde

[AgavaSK]

OMG, really beautiful Arios...they had a really nice care throughout childhood so no wonder they are so beautiful!!!!
Good work, well done!