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Could be a dead one! Doesn't look to have any chlorophyll at all. E. polycephalus are pretty variable so maybe it will manage something.

iann wrote:Could be a dead one! Doesn't look to have any chlorophyll at all. E. polycephalus are pretty variable so maybe it will manage something.

I agree with iann... that seedling looks to be an albino (no chlorophyll). If you want to keep it you will need to graft it or it will die sooner or later. If its variegated like you believe it'll be fine on its own roots.

I've never had long term success grafting albinos, and we really don't see photos of them (other than a few common gymnos and peanut cactus). I find that if I do graft them they will grow poorly and eventually die. I think that usually they have more problems than just a lack of chlorophyll.

Always worth a try though if it makes it, it could be really unique!

Hi guys
I don't know if it is variegated or albino , and I don't exactly know the difference between the two forms
But have some pereskiopsis to try a grafting, my only concern is when ???
Should I let it grow some more weeks ????
Or should I graft it in the next days (It is not even 20 days old ) ????
Is there any chance it can grow without grafting ????

mikey wrote:Hi guys
I don't know if it is variegated or albino , and I don't exactly know the difference between the two forms

Variegated has some chlorophyll (green skin) and the rest without chlorophyll (yellow or white skin). These can be grown on their own roots
Albino has NO chlorophyll what so ever and are completely white. These will NOT survive on their own roots.

mikey wrote: But have some pereskiopsis to try a grafting, my only concern is when ???
Should I let it grow some more weeks ????
Or should I graft it in the next days (It is not even 20 days old ) ????
Is there any chance it can grow without grafting ????

If its an albino seedling the sooner the better as they will not survive very long on their own roots however have been known to survive a few months on their own roots. I would graft as soon as possible.
If its variegated it will survive on its own roots and just grow slower.

Check the other side of the seedling to see if you find any green or different shades of red. The different shades MAY be some chlorophyll. Another way to know if its albino is to watch it over the next few days. If it completely stops growing its an albino and needs to be grafted. If it continues to grow but slowly its likely variegated and you can leave it on its own roots if you choose.

Hi modern.shaman,
I'm very glad to hear from you
Your intervention was really enlightening
You gave me guidelines to follow in the next days
If I will go for it I hope not to fail the graft !!!!
I'll keep you update

I owe you guys a quick update :

I'm very pleased with the germination rate

Nice job, Mikey!

Looks like you got nearly as good germination from E. polycephalus as E. xeranthemoides?

Nice seedlings!

Mikey, I just noticed/realized -- MANY of those tubs are E. horizonth! How many did you plant?! This is another Cold-Hardy that has definitely made it to the "Grow" List, but if you're gonna have 300 of them -- maybe we can swap -- either plants or $! Maybe I could even get 2!

It should not be that hard to get many Echinocactus horizonthalonius seeds from the many Czech seed distributors. Some will sell them by the 100s or 1000s (well, at least by the 100s, at http://www.cactus-hobby.eu" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;). And for very reasonable prices too. You just need to try to navigate your way through the few pages that are translated into English...