My Sowing Attempts - Mixed Results

[SavageTurtle]

Hey folks. Just thought I would share my attempts at growing cacti from seed so far and hopefully pick up some tips and tricks along the way.

So I started sowing my first seeds on the 18th February 2020 which is late winter here in the UK. I mixed a seed growing compost, sand and perlite 1:1:1. I then sterilised the soil in the microwave and sowed the seeds into old grape containers, placing in them in sealed bags. These then went out into a propagator in a greenhouse. I did have some issues with the temperatures at first but managed to get it to remain quite steady in the mid 20’s C for a few weeks (high 70’s F).

Anyway, I sowed 6 different types of seeds and had mixed results. Apologies about the photos, very difficult to photograph in the bags.

Echinopsis Kermesina - These were the first to germinate within 2 weeks and I’ve had pretty decent results with them.

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Rebutia Mix - Took longer to germinate, closer to a month but have had good results since.

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Mammillaria Mix - Took about 3 weeks to germinate, haven’t had that many germinate though.

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I also sowed Gymnocalycium Eurypleurum, Gymnocalycium Mix and Echinocereus Mix, all have had no visible germination in the 6 weeks they have been in there.

[SavageTurtle]

I then decided to sow more seeds in the same mix and sterilised in the same way, but this time popping them into a propagator in my bedroom, under a 50 w led lighting system I purchased. These were sown on the 2nd of March. The temperature in this propagator was into the 30’s C (high 80’s F). These were sowed I to smaller pots and due to the mixed results with the last batch I sowed less in each pot.

Echinocereus Pectinatus var. Rubrispinus - Germinated in about a week with very good results, I would say about 70% germination rate, maybe higher.

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Gymnocalycium Calochlorum var. Proliferumi - Again germinated quickly at about a week, probably about 50% germination rate.

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[SavageTurtle]

I’ve since sowed 2 more pots into the same mix and same sterilisation technique. These were sown on the 20th March 2020. I sowed Gymnocalycium Spegazzini and the last of my Gymnocalycium Eurypleurum seeds I sowed the first time around. So far I have seen no germination from these pots.

As you can see I’ve had very mixed results. Out of 5 attempts to get Gymnocalycium’s to germinate only 1 has been successful, don’t know if anyone has any tips for Gymnocalycium. I’ve searched online but can’t find anything different about them. Also with Echinocereus I’ve had a 0% germination rate to a 70%+ germination rate in different attempts.
All of the seeds I purchased came from different Ebay sellers from all around the world. The Echinopsis Kermesina seeds and Gymnocalycium Eurypleurum seeds came from the same seller but yet I’ve had completely different results with them. Thanks for reading.

[greenknight]

Sometimes you just get bad seed. Overall, you're doing quite well. I've never purchased from Ebay sellers, but results have still been mixed - tried to grow Rebutias several times, but I've never had any success.

[Vingames1]

I would say bad seed. Don’t buy seed from eBay it’s rarely any good.

[CactiJim]

I sowed some Rebutia theresae (around 25 seeds) on August 16, 2020, and I see absolutely nothing yet. It is encouraging, however, to read that yours started coming up after a month.

[7george]

I sowed some Rebutia theresae (around 25 seeds) on August 16, 2020, and I see absolutely nothing yet. It is encouraging, however, to read that yours started coming up after a month.

Might be too hot for them yet. Better try those in fall/winter or early spring.

[CactiJim]

Yeah, I might just bring them inside if I retry; inside my house is about 78°F, 25°C.

You think I could try with same seeds or get new ones?