gymno seeds

prickly · Post by **prickly** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 3:19 pm

we have just harvested some gymnocalycium baldianum seeds and was wondering when to sow them,would they wait till next year

if not would they be ok over winter if we sowed them now

cheers in advance
mick

templegatejohn · Post by **templegatejohn** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 4:30 pm

Hi Mick, most cacti seed will keep very well, in fact the germination rate of some improves with age. A few species need to be sown while they are fresh, but I have never had any problem keeping Gymno seed.

Regarding sowing them now. If you have a propagator you could try them as long as you can give them a little heat during the winter. However day length, (hours of good daylight. Is there such a thing in our winters) particularly in English winters is also a major problem. If you were sowing lots of seed and providing heat and light (artificial) it would not be a problem but to go to those lengths for a single sowing of seed is costly and probably not worth it. I would wait till spring 2007.

John

prickly · Post by **prickly** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 4:47 pm

cheers john,we have decided its better to sow them in 2007,they are nice and safe now

thanks for the advice,a mine of information...you should write a book

Bill in SC · Post by **Bill in SC** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 9:36 pm

Very good reply John!! Fraileana castanae seeds like to be sowed fresh. I learned that on the forums.. I wish someone would compile a list of that info for cactus species... Interesting topic. Thanks prickly!
Bill in SC