My seed growing adventures.

[Coltont1988]

Lots of trial and error to get to here. Has been a challenge for sure but it's really rewarding. Started messing around growing from seed about 2 years ago. Started the most of the bagged ones over the last 5 months. All kinds of stuff in there from turbs, to mammillaria, ariocarpus, copiapoa, sclerocactus, geohintonia, and many more.

[zpeckler]

Looking good!

I'm about to try growing Copiapoa for the first time this year. Cinerea and dealbata. Got a preferred substrate mix that you've found works for them?

[Coltont1988]

I haven't found them to to be to picky, cooler temps and I don't cover the seeds. Seems to be working, but I'm no expert and I'm learning along the way.

[zpeckler]

I haven't found them to to be to picky, cooler temps and I don't cover the seeds. Seems to be working, but I'm no expert and I'm learning along the way.

Thanks man. These will be the first time I've tried to grow anything from S. America at all.

Btw... That Creeping Devil!

[Coltont1988]

Hey no problem. That creeping devil is a real character!

[Lolavy]

Great work with the seedlings! As someone who just started 6 months ago, I’m in awe and inspired!

I haven't found them to to be to picky, cooler temps and I don't cover the seeds. Seems to be working, but I'm no expert and I'm learning along the way.

With Copiapoa, when you say “cooler temps”, can you specify what range you’re germinating/growing them at? Thanks!

[madkactus]

Nice set-up. Where are you located ? You have no Avatar or geo-location available.

[Coltont1988]

I try can keep temps in the lower 70s, I'm in Pennsylvania.

[Lolavy]

Thanks for the info! I’m in Cali and I’m struggling to keep the temps below 78F (the ones within the inner perimeter of the propagation box are in the mid to high 80s), and that’s after turning off the heat mats . I may just have to try putting them outside once temps get regularly above the 60s during the day since I keep things warm inside for my mushroom growing hobby.

One more thing…what type of grow lights are you using? I’m still tinkering around with that aspect as well.

[Nino_G]

@ Lolavy: High 80s (measured in Fahrenheits, not Celsius ) are not too high temperatures for any cactus species, even Copiapoa, assuming that you are talking about daytime temperatures. For germination success of most species very important thing is difference between daytime and nighttime temps. So, 95F won't be a problem during the day if you can ensure that nighttime temps drop to high 60s (at least). That's the main reason why many growers that struggle with high ambient temperatures choose winter time (around New Year on northern hemisphere) for sowing.
Regarding lights, any LED light is adequate for germination process, even cheap household LED strips. If you plan to grow your seedlings under controlled conditions for extended period of time, you might consider any of the "grow light" variety. If you need a recomendation, I've been using "Spider Farmer" lights for some time with good results, mainly because they are readily available in Europe and often have considerable discounts.

[jerrytheplater]

One more thing…what type of grow lights are you using? I’m still tinkering around with that aspect as well.

Just want to let you know which LED grow light I'm using to keep my warmth requireing cacti over the winter. I bought mine in 2022 and this is the second winter I've used it. Viparspectra XS1500. It is a 150 watt full spectrum light and covers a 4' x 4' area with enough light to grow my cacti. I suspend it over my plants with a framework I built.

https://www.amazon.com/stores/VIPARSPEC ... ndLogo_sto

[Lolavy]

Thanks @Nino_G and @jerrytheplater for the grow light suggestions! As it were, the two options I’ve been looking at are the Spider Farmer SF1000D and the Viparspectra XS1500. I’ve been out of work since November and so given my budget, I purchased these two options instead:

Bavihor - https://www.amazon.com/Sunlike-Spectrum ... =UTF8&th=1
CNSunway 2ft Cool White - https://www.amazon.com/CNSUNWAY-Integra ... =8-16&th=1

I initially started with L.Williamsi seeds gifted to me that I first tried growing with natural light, but only saw germination really take off after adding the Bavihor grow light, however my germination rates were under 10% in all but one pot. However, new pots I’ve started with the 2nd Bavihor light have had even lower germination rates (0-5%). I only got the CNSunway’s a few weeks ago, and so far, the only germination I’ve seen out of 18 pots are 4 Ariocarpus Lloydii seedlings that popped up this weekend in one pot (10 days post-sowing), but they are tiny and fully white, and I have no idea if they are getting too much or too little light.

As for temps, I’m not sure if it’s possible to reduce the temps to high 60s at night unless I leave them outside. The best I’ve been able to manage is ~75 degrees with the lights and heating mat off. Anyway, at this point I currently have 3x more stalled /no activity pots since October than actively growing pots, so if I can’t figure out how to improve germination rates (i.e. improved lighting; temperature) my foray into growing from seed will likely be over.