Seeds Sown

[KathyM]

I bought a couple of Rebutia plants from you last year that you said were that year's seedlings and I was amazed. I will probably end up buying a lot of these too knowing me. I am trying to zoom in and look at names!

I haven't planted my BCSS seeds yet, just my alpine garden society ones. I noticed Rhodiola and Pelargonium auritum seeds germinating today that I only planted on Monday.

[ralphrmartin]

There's quite a few Lobivias there as well as Rebutias, Mammillarias, and other things. They'll be on the swaps and sales list as soon as big enough... :-)

[KathyM]

I liked your picture showing all the different Lobivia haematantha varieties. I don't think I will be ordering the ones with the terrifying long hooked spines.

[ralphrmartin]

Amazing variation within that ones species, isn't it!

[ralphrmartin]

A brief progress report - I've now got something coming up in about 1/4 of the pots (41 to be exact), after 10 days or so.

I've finally managed to be successful with Austrocactus and Pterocactus seed. Elizabeth Sarnes advised me to soak the seed for 5 minutes in concentrated sulphuric acid before planting, and I must say it has worked very well, even though it sounded horribly drastic when she advised it.

Anyway, here are the Astrophytums which germinated first.

[ralphrmartin]

I use STABILO® Write-4-all® Permanent Marker - Black F when I need an 'inked-label'.

Thanks, Tony, somehow I missed this reply. I'll hunt some out.

[Phil_SK]

I've finally managed to be successful with Austrocactus and Pterocactus seed. Elizabeth Sarnes advised me to

I think their seed is just good. I had some Austrocactus and Pterocactus from them last year (and just Austrocactus the year before) and germination was pretty good, no special treatment. Pterocactus (never easy to come by) has never done too well from other sources for me; Austrocactus generally reasonable from all sources when I can tell (comparing current seed list with previous years') that it's no more than a couple of years old. A. bertinii is, I'm told, the most reluctant to germinate but is the one encountered most often.
I find austrocacti struggle to get their main root into the soil and I've had to bury it in a bit of gravel/prop up the seedlings before they become banana-shaped. Getting them through their first summer isn't plain sailing... I've had them turn to mush a few times.

[MikeDom]

I've finally managed to be successful with Austrocactus and Pterocactus seed. Elizabeth Sarnes advised me to soak the seed for 5 minutes in concentrated sulphuric acid before planting, and I must say it has worked very well, even though it sounded horribly drastic when she advised it.

That's probably the most drastic pre-treatment I've heard of. From the Saturday sowing, these are tree seeds that the pre-treatment was to pour boiling water over the seeds and then put them in a flask for 24 hours. I didn't do as recommended, no need, and I only need a couple of plants:

From the same sowing, one of 4 pots of Adenium obesum. Lots of feed and water, and generously overpot are the instructions I have once they are repotted:

Again from the same sowing, Pachypodiums are up early this year:

Looks like there'll be plenty of spares for Nick_G's compost heap

[Terry S.]

The concentrated sulphuric acid trick has been shown to work for some of the fynbos mesembs such as Saphesia flaccida, which is otherwise very reluctant to germinate. Don't try it unless you have some experience of handling such chemicals!

[ralphrmartin]

I had some Austrocactus and Pterocactus from them last year (and just Austrocactus the year before) and germination was pretty good, no special treatment. ...
I find austrocacti struggle to get their main root into the soil and I've had to bury it in a bit of gravel/prop up the seedlings before they become banana-shaped.

I've never had Austrocacti or Pterocacti germinate before, despite trying several times. Both were some of the first to germinate this year after the acid treatment.

I agree with you about the roots. The roots are about twice as long as the seedlings are tall, and lying on the surface, so I gently picked them up with tweezers, bodged a hole in the compost, and planted them. So far so good.