Astrophytum Caput-Medusae - anyone tried it?

cooky173 · Post by **cooky173** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 1:29 pm

I'm interested in getting some of these, and since the seeds I've come across are about $5 each, I don't want to throw money away on this.

Has anyone done this from the seed before? Are they like other Astro's to grow, or should things be done a bit differently? I'm also inexperienced at grafting, so how do you find them on their own roots?

Thanks

iann · Post by **iann** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 1:32 pm

Lots of people have grown them from seed. They aren't terribly difficult but then all Astrophytum seedlings have a slight reputation for touchiness. Of course with a small number of seeds you always take the chance that you get a poor batch or don't quite get things right first time and end up with nothing.

cooky173 · Post by **cooky173** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 1:35 pm

I might give them shot then,

Thanks Ian

Silenus · Post by **Silenus** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 3:58 pm

iann wrote:Lots of people have grown them from seed. They aren't terribly difficult but then all Astrophytum seedlings have a slight reputation for touchiness. Of course with a small number of seeds you always take the chance that you get a poor batch or don't quite get things right first time and end up with nothing.

Ain't it the truth; but to those who are unexperienced with seedlings that tend to be a bit touchy (astros, lophs, etc.) it can be a bit of a hassle. If you are skilled at grafting get them to about a month old then do a seedling graft and degraft them after you get the desired size.

Post by **daiv** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 2:41 am

Take a look at the third one in this post:

http://www.cactiguide.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=13604

cooky173 · Post by **cooky173** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 4:14 am

I'll have pics like that soon I hope.