Lithops Seed Sowings

[cactuspip]

Knowing my luck with the drying and restarting technique I decided to bite the bullet and ordered a set of replacements from Jennifer Smale.
They were sown this afternoon and then placed in my 10x6 greenhouse, under the bench.

Watch this space.........

[iann]

If its any consolation, or encouragement, by MSG Lithops seed this year all germinated, promptly and at a good rate. I swear there are more L. meyeri than there were seeds! Only L. karasmontana 'Purpur' was slightly disappointing, with a number of very weak pale seedlings that didn't make it, which is not unusual for this new cultivar (highly inbred?). However, the ones that did survive are extremely strong and deeply coloured.

[ragamala]

I had a similar experience with karasmonata Purpur. A few germinated only to perish. I just have one left which, by its size, probably germinated later than the others.

Again as encouragement, I left my Lithops sowing until late last year, but the July and August-sown seedlings are doing well.

Normally Lithops comes up easily, but I did have one bad experience with one supplier's seed, as I recorded in another thread last year. Not a single seed germinated from about 30 or so packets. Something was seriously wrong to have that result, but it is very unusual. Good growing with the new crop!

[rayblue]

Covering with clingfilm will make hypha to grow if you don't disinfect the soil. which will kill the seedlings even inhibit the seeds to germinate.

[Cactus Kid]

I must just be lucky! It's my first year trying the MSG seeds and my L. karasmontana 'Purpur' have germinated OK. I have 5 plants and all are just as big and healthy as the other 15 Lithops varieties I have sown.

I do not use the `Baggie method' just soak the pots and growing medium in boiling water, leave to cool and then after germination, lightly spray/mist every few days or so.

[cactuspip]

UPDATE
Of the 26 packets of seeds down last Monday 23 have had germination so far. Only 3 to go!!

This definitely suggests the first sowing was cooked and hence zero germination.

Lesson learned.

[Tony R]

Well done, Philip, you clearly made the right decision.

[cactuspip]

I applied one of the great military dictums - Don't reinforce failure. It has clearly worked.

[BrianMc]

Well done!
That's good news