Cacti seedlings care

[profiler54]

Hello Everyone,

My name is Anthony and I am a new member to BCSS. I have been into gardening for a number of years but only recently become keenly interested in cacti.

I was eager to try my hand at growing from seed but might a have started my germination a bit late in the season. On 26-05-2018 I planted a small tray of 25 Echinopsis pachanoi seed. I have slowly acclimated 22 - 3 month old seedlings out of sealed plastic bag over the course of a week. One cacti appears to have died. So I am down to 21. I bottom watered them because soil was looking dry and placed them inside propagator set at 20 C. they are near a south-west facing window of conservatory
01-07-2018 planted Lophophora Williamsii germination rate was quite poor 4 out of 20 seeds germinated. They are still inside sealed plastic. inside propagator set at 20 C. they are near a south-west facing window of conservatory. During germination I left out at night and put inside propagator during day light hours
Any advice would be helpful. I want to try to get these little ones through winter without dying.
Thanks guys

[el48tel]

Hi
I pass on the advice given to me (another newbie) a few days ago from Ralph Martin


"Ho big are they? If pea size, they are safe to treat as adults.

However, if you are going to keep them warm, also give them some water.
Ralph Martin"

[SpikyMike]

Hi Anthony. New member too here. Will be interested to know how your success goes. I’ve also got a few seedlings planted in April to June 18 (Echinopsis subdenudata, Echinocactus grusonii, Astrophytum asterias, some mixed lithops). Not sure how to take care over winter. Was planning on keeping indoors next to a window in a non-heated room. Let’s compare notes!
Just ordered 50 x Mammillaria hernandezii seeds. Not sure if to plant now or wait till spring. Also have some Sclerocactus masses-verdae. Not sure when to attempt!

[Terry S.]

One thing that I would say to these members starting to raise from seed for the first time is to learn how to grow the easy and cheap seeds before trying the difficult ones. Trichocereus (Echinopsis) is ideal because they are easy and fast-growing. Once you have mastered these, then progress to the species such as Sclerocactus, which are challenging to germinate and grow on for even the most experienced succulent gardeners. Trying to raise the difficult species before the necessary expertise has been developed is likely to cause disappointment and maybe put one off the idea of raising from seed in the future.

Sowing of any species is always best done at the start of the growing season for that species. This gives seedlings of the maximum possible size before they shut down for their first period of dormancy.

[profiler54]

Hi Anthony. New member too here. Will be interested to know how your success goes. I’ve also got a few seedlings planted in April to June 18 (Echinopsis subdenudata, Echinocactus grusonii, Astrophytum asterias, some mixed lithops). Not sure how to take care over winter. Was planning on keeping indoors next to a window in a non-heated room. Let’s compare notes!
Just ordered 50 x Mammillaria hernandezii seeds. Not sure if to plant now or wait till spring. Also have some Sclerocactus masses-verdae. Not sure when to attempt!

Hello Mike,

Nice to meet you... I am going to take the best of care getting my seedlings through the winter. I purchased a small LED light set up and a heated propagator and think I might try starting some more seeds in January-February just to get a head start on the growing season. Best of luck with yours.

Anthony Ashley

[SpikyMike]

Hi. Wondering how your seed germination went?