The C and D Seed Growing Method

[C And D]

We frequently get asked about growing seeds, so I thought I would start a thread, and we can just give them the link for the info.

First of all, we do not use the baggie method.
Second of all, we seem to grow many species amazing well using our method, but other species do not do so well, like tiny Aztekium seeds, where the baggie method would probaly do better.

Instead of baggies, we use clear containers!!!
We always do seeds in batchs, so we plant several pots of different seeds, then fill up a container of pots that can all be germinated at the same time.

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Then we put it under lights or the greenhouse with the lid on it.

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Sometimes we do trays of seeds, and put the whole tray in a clear container.

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[C And D]

The Cactiguide "Post a reply" box starts giving troubles after I get to the bottom of the box, so I will just start a new post after I reach it each time.

Why use a clear container rather than a baggie?
Because you can continue to spray the seedlings with sterile water to get them to germinate, like what the natural rains do, which washes off germination inhibitors.

And you can keep an eye on them to see how they're doing.

But!!!!
To use this method, everything must be sterile for the first couple months, until you take the lid off, because any fungus will just go crazy in a closed container like this.

I usually leave the lid on for at least 2 months, sometimes up to 6 months.

edit:
I usually take the lid off in one month now

[C And D]

How do we keep things sterile?

We use the microwave and chemicals.

You may not need to go to the same extremes that I do, but you can go farther I'm sure, since plant labs do it way better than me.

First:
Sterilize the soil and any toppings that you will apply, like sand and a bit of extra soil.
I fill all the pots with soil, put them in the clear container, then microwave at full for 3 minutes
Then I spray all the pots with RO water heavily, until water is coming out the bottom of the pots, then I microwave at full for 3 minutes again.
The soil is kind of caked at this point, so poke it with a stick to break the top up and scoop off the pumice top layer, fluff up the lower good soil, then pack it flat lightly, so the seeds don't fall into deep holes.

Seedling soil is complex topic, so I will say use a soil that has the big stuff sifted out, and can handle being sprayed alot without root rot.
I use a medium light mix with course sand, pumice and soil mix. It may take some time before you get the perfect seedling soil mix.

Sow the seeds evenly on the surface of the soil. If the seeds are big, cover them lightly with sand and soil, small seeds may not need to be covered, but sometimes I sprinkle fine dirt on them. I usually sow 10 to 30 seeds per small pot.

[C And D]

Second:
Sterilize the seeds in the pots.

Seeds are not sterile, nor is the process of sowing.

So after you sow, you need to sterlize with chemicals.

Here is my system.
1) Spray with RO (reverse osmosis) water, which does not need to be sterile. This first spray is to just get some water on the seeds before you soak them with the chemicals, so the seeds don't soak up the chemicals the first time they get water. Let them sit for 30 mnutes to an hour with the lid on..

2) Spray with insecticide spiked with Chinosol (use RO water). This step is to make sure there are no bugs. Mix your favorite insecticide with 0.5 grams of chinosol. Spray seeds, let soak 30 minutes. I'm using Triazicide as my insecticide of choice, at 1 tbs per quart.

3) Spray the seeds with full strength Physan 20 (availble at any Garden Supply) (~2.5 ml per quart, use RO water). Spray the pots heavy, but not enough so the seeds float around. Spray the clear container lid and insides. Let it soak for 30 minutes to an hour. This stuff is like soap, and washes off germination inhibitors.

4) Spray with pure chinosol (1.0 gram per quart RO water). Wash off the insecticide and sterilize with chinosol. Let soak 30 minutes.

5) Spray with "Germination Water", the last spray before putting the container in the sun or light bench. Germination water is RO water spiked with chinosol at about 0.1 gram per quart. This washes off the stronger chinosol, and lets them soak in mostly pure sterile water.

You may need to mop up the excess water at the bottom of the clear container, you don't want the pots soaking in it.

[C And D]

Maintaining the seed containers:
The top of the container should have some condensation on it, if not, the pots are getting too dry.
You can peek in to see how they look.

Spray with the "Germination Water" anytime the pots look dry, remember, they should always stay moist.

If you see any fungus, seed death or algae, spray the pots heavily with pure chinosol and leave on for a day or 2.
You can add some fertilizer to the "Germination water" if you want after the seeds germinate, but be careful to keep the conc. low until you uncover the containers.

After you remove the lid for good, you can use regular RO water and fertilize.

Here are some seedlings from past sowings

Mesembs

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Bulbine

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A whole lot of Haworthia truncata

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[RichR]

Appreciate the info. Now I have a use for those old mixed greens containers.

[RichR]

I can't find Chinosol. Is there a substitute?

[Aiko]

I can't find Chinosol. Is there a substitute?

I only know of one source, a farmecy called Bik & Bik in Leiden, the Netherlands. They sell Superol, which contains chinesol: https://www.bik-bik.nl/product/5709/sup ... tje-3-gram" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[RichR]

Apparently, they also use it for sore throats in The Netherlands. Thanks for the tip, Aiko.

[george76904]

C&D plants sells it

[greenknight]

C&D plants sells it

Ah, yes, it's right at the bottom of their seed list.

[george76904]

C&D plants sells it

Ah, yes, it's right at the bottom of their seed list.

Oh yeah I guess it would have been more useful to mention where it was

[RichR]

What is the difference between Chinosol and Physan? Don' t they basically do the same things?

[RichR]

Second:
Sterilize the seeds in the pots.

Seeds are not sterile, nor is the process of sowing.

So after you sow, you need to sterlize with chemicals.

Here is my system.
1) Spray with RO (reverse osmosis) water, which does not need to be sterile. This first spray is to just get some water on the seeds before you soak them with the chemicals, so the seeds don't soak up the chemicals the first time they get water. Let them sit for 30 mnutes to an hour with the lid on..

2) Spray with insecticide spiked with Chinosol (use RO water). This step is to make sure there are no bugs. Mix your favorite insecticide with 0.5 grams of chinosol. Spray seeds, let soak 30 minutes. I'm using Triazicide as my insecticide of choice, at 1 tbs per quart.

3) Spray the seeds with full strength Physan 20 (availble at any Garden Supply) (~2.5 ml per quart, use RO water). Spray the pots heavy, but not enough so the seeds float around. Spray the clear container lid and insides. Let it soak for 30 minutes to an hour. This stuff is like soap, and washes off germination inhibitors.

4) Spray with pure chinosol (1.0 gram per quart RO water). Wash off the insecticide and sterilize with chinosol. Let soak 30 minutes.

5) Spray with "Germination Water", the last spray before putting the container in the sun or light bench. Germination water is RO water spiked with chinosol at about 0.1 gram per quart. This washes off the stronger chinosol, and lets them soak in mostly pure sterile water.

You may need to mop up the excess water at the bottom of the clear container, you don't want the pots soaking in it.

Craig, I'm wondering if you still use Chinosol. I have read a number of other sources that claim it is harmful to some cactus seeds.

[C And D]

I never have had any problems with Chinosol
I spray it at full strength heavily on seedlings and they never seem to have any adverse reactions.

What is the difference between Chinosol and Physan? Don' t they basically do the same things?

Yes they do the same thing.

Not sure which one is harder on seedlings.