More and more seeds!

Post by **daiv** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 7:40 pm

Ok everyone, I just placed my first seed order at the cssa seed depot. I bought 22 packets of seed.

Nothing too unusual here as I'm still quite the seed-sewing novice!

Obregonia denegrii
Armatocereus cartwrightianus
Armatocereus laetus
Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus
Astrophytum asterias
Astrophytum Capricorne
Astrophytum myriostigma
Echinocactus horizonthalonis
Echinocactus texensis
Echinocereus subinermis
Echinopsis ferox
Ferocactus herrerae
Ferocactus macrodiscus
Frailea mammifera
Frailea ybatensis
Gymnocalycium pflanzii
Gymnocalycium spegazzinii
Mammillaria magnimamma
Melocactus disciformis
Melocactus maxonii
Strombocactus disciformis
Thelocactus rinconensis

Christer Johansson · Post by **Christer Johansson** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 9:43 pm

That's a real mix of species, but very interesting ones as well

I can tell you that Gymnocalycium pflanzii are very small ones when they germinate and take a lot of time before they looks like cacti. Algae is a problem with them, at least it was that for me...

Astrophytum are very quick to germinate; aprox 3 days. All of them are so called easy ones

I wish you good luck and good germination

iann · Post by **iann** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 10:30 pm

Nothing too unusual in that they are all well known species, but some are difficult from seed. The Obregonia wouldn't germinate for me, possibly just a bad batch of seed but quite slow anyway. The Ariocarpus are slow and yours especially so. The Strombocactus are just ridiculously slow from seed, you'll be lucky if you can see them before they are a year old! And the Echinocactus are difficult to keep alive in England, probably easier for you.

GeneS · Post by **GeneS** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 10:48 pm

You've quite a range there daiv. It will be interesting to see how your experience compares with iann's. I find O. denegrii and A. kot... quite quick from seed. Echinocactus like to damp off when young, probably more of a problem for him then here. Feros and Thelos are quite easy and fast. Strombocactus are touchy ... try bottom heat, and Frailea, easy, if the seed is very fresh. All and all, a nice mix that will cause you to investigate differing moisture levels and air flow to find the right combo for each.

If you need some more subjects, ... your local seed bank has over 60 species collected within the last 2-3 weeks, and more coming as we speak.

How are your club science project numbers coming along?

GeneS

Tony · Post by **Tony** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 2:52 am

Wow Daiv

,looks like your feeling really confident.
Good luck and have fun,We'll be waiting for updates on they're progress of course

Post by **daiv** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 3:48 am

Well everyone, it isn't confidence, just low prices. Only $0.50 per packet -so I spent $11.00

I figured that if I get 25% to come through, I'll still be happy and learn a lot in the process. All the comments on various species means I am in for some real learnin'!

Post by **daiv** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 4:10 am

GeneS wrote: If you need some more subjects, ... your local seed bank has over 60 species collected within the last 2-3 weeks, and more coming as we speak.

How are your club science project numbers coming along?

Gene, Yep, I'd really like to keep on growing. Bring whatever you think I should grow to the next meeting and I'll give it a try.

Of course if any of the above interest you...

Also here are mine from the last meeting:

GeneS · Post by **GeneS** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 3:43 pm

Everthing appears to be looking good!

GeneS

Post by **daiv** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 4:38 am

Well they arrived yesterday! Here are all the packets.

I planted 10 packets so far... The CSSA doesn't fill their seed packets as full as Gene!

cactusbutt · Post by **cactusbutt** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 7:26 am

Thats quite the collection of seed Daiv
are you gona try grafting any of the little buggers?

Loph · Post by **Loph** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 12:39 pm

sweet! you got any pereskiopsis? i would be grafting some of each just for kicks and giggles

you are going to be busy. my cacti collection grew enormously once i started growing seeds.....at least buying plants you are financially limited, but seeds....ya.

Post by **daiv** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 5:24 pm

I hadn't planned on grafting. I like them better on their own. I am not worried about my collection getting too big for two reasons.

1. My seed growing skills are far from refined. I would be thrilled if I get 25% of them to make it.

2. There weren't too many in a packet. Some only had 5 seeds. The most was maybe 20 seeds in a packet.

Besides, if I do have success, I'll be lighting up the trade section here.

Post by **daiv** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 2:25 am

I planted all but three of the seeds and three have already sprouted. All three Astrophytums!

Tony · Post by **Tony** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 3:33 am

And away we go!
very cool!