My seed growing thread 2013 (Updated 30th Aug' '14)

[CactusFanDan]

Well i've decided to go with Succseed for my seed order this year, since last year my order from Mesa Gardens (while good) took quite a long time to get to me, being across the Atlantic and what have you. My total order is 120 packets of just cactus seed (I somehow forgot that they sold succulent seed - probably for the better ) I've picked a nice selection of plants I like and also plants which should be a fun challenge to grow!

So I thought i'd give you a condensed list and pictures will follow once my seeds arrive and I get some results:
-60 (yes, 60) packets of assorted Eriosyce species and forms.
-Some of the smaller Copiapoa species (however I couldn't resist some C. megarhiza )
-Both Aztekium species and Geohintonia
-Cinitia
-A few Discocactus
-Strombocactus disciformis (type and ssp. esperanzae)
-Glandulicactus wrightii
-Rimacactus lauii - yeah, I know, I don't have a chance but it might be worth it to try it, at least.
-Some common, but pretty Gymno's
-A form of Blossfeldia liliputana
-A handful of Ariocarpus species and forms
-Astrophytum caput-medusae

You could call me ambitious. You'd be totally right.
If anyone has any tips for any of the plants listed, feel free to chip in!

[majcka]

You MUST inform me about Glandulicactus wrightii progress when you sow!!!!!!! Please!!! Pretty please!!!!

[CactusFanDan]

You MUST inform me about Glandulicactus wrightii progress when you sow!!!!!!! Please!!! Pretty please!!!!

I shall do. I was planning on sowing them in two batches. One batch with the seed coat partially removed, and another batch sown as they arrive. I'll keep you informed.

[iann]

Germination of Glandulicactus is easy. No need for special treatment.

Strombocactus is renowned for not germinating and it seems to be down to seed quality. Seeds are tiny and don't seem to last long. Or maybe people are too prone to take self-pollinated fruit and that doesn't germinate well? Good seed germinates quickly and easily.

[promethean_spark]

I haven't had problems with strombocactus seed, Blossfeldia however does seem to germinate at low percentages, I don't think I've ever gotten more than 25% out of them.

Make sure to sow all the small/slow stuff in bags! I've killed almost every strombo/aztekium/blossfeldia I've ever sown outside a bag (the few survivors grew at half the speed of their bagged bretheren), and had good success with them bagged.

[hoteidoc]

Maja. the Glandulic. wrightii I sowed back in October are near 100% (out of 25 seeds) & looking very healthy! Suprised me only because I haven't physically been able to check baggies since before surgery 12/11/12 -- most everything were just barely visible dots then.

[CactusFanDan]

Well, after 2 busy days of sowing, i've managed to sow around 40 packets of seeds.
All of my Ariocarpus seed has been sown, many of the oddballs I chose, including Rimacactus, Strombocactus, Blossfeldia, Astrophytum caput-medusae, Glandulicactus (as requested by Maja), Echinocactus horizonthalonius, Cinitia, Turbinicarpus, Pelecyphora and Discocactus. Progress!
Now the hardest part, waiting for the first signs of germination. Also, I still have 60 different Eriosyces to sow, as well as a handful of Gymnocalyciums and some Copiapoas.

[iann]

Which Eriosyce do you have?

[Daniel]

Me and you could have a little rivalry here, I too have planted some Ariocarpus, Blossfeldia, Glandulicactus Mathssonii, Astrophytum and copiapoa, shoul be interesting to compare results!

[hoteidoc]

Didn't see Melo's listed -- have you gotten them yet?

[CactusFanDan]

Which Eriosyce do you have?

The vast majority of the seeds listed under Eriosyce on the Succseed catalogue, pretty much. I question how up to date half of the names on the list are, though, but i'm not one to argue with Mats. Some hot picks?
E. aurata, E. esmeraldana, E. kunzei, E. napina, E. occulta, E. odieri ssp. glabrescens, E. umadeave.
If you want the full list, just ask, but I thought it might clutter things a little.

Me and you could have a little rivalry here, I too have planted some Ariocarpus, Blossfeldia, Glandulicactus Mathssonii, Astrophytum and copiapoa, shoul be interesting to compare results!

Hehe Hopefully we both get equally good results!

Didn't see Melo's listed -- have you gotten them yet?

I've not taken on any more Melo's this year, but I do have some young M. conoideus growing from seed from a few months ago. My 3 year old Melo's are shaping up nicely as well. (About a year or two behind in growth due to neglect)

[hoteidoc]

Sorry, Dan, that Melo comment was @ Maja

[majcka]

Sorry, Dan, that Melo comment was @ Maja

Sorry. Not yet.

[iann]

That E. umadeave seed is quite old. I sowed the same collection number two years ago, but I don't know when it was collected. It will be interesting to see if that helps germination.

The names are moderately up to data, with some obvious exceptions. Luckily most of them have collection numbers so you can keep track of what they really are.

[CactusFanDan]

That E. umadeave seed is quite old. I sowed the same collection number two years ago, but I don't know when it was collected. It will be interesting to see if that helps germination.

The names are moderately up to data, with some obvious exceptions. Luckily most of them have collection numbers so you can keep track of what they really are.

Oooh interesting, i'll try and get the E. umadeave in soon then to see how they do. I'll keep an extra close eye on them! And yes, collection numbers will undoubtedly come in handy.