Too late for seed sowing?

[Echinocactus123]

I am new to growing cacti and succulents from seed and was wandering if it is now too late sow seeds, Thank you.

[Aiko]

No, not yet. But it also depends on how you sow, how you grow your plants.
But I would think until early June you can still sow cacti in a greenhouse without additional lightning and such. The question is, you don't use additional lightning? I would not sow after early June (I never use additional lightning), as I suspect the plants will not get big enough before winter comes.

[Echinocactus123]

thank you, ill try to sow in the next week or two.

[Nick_G]

I never sow cactus seed before May and stop watering the seedlings at the end of September. They then go through the winter in an unheated greenhouse completely dry. I've never seen the point in starting the seeds off early using additional heat apart from giving yourself something to do in the winter.

[Echinocactus123]

thanks, I have plenty to sow.

[ralphrmartin]

I never sow cactus seed before May and stop watering the seedlings at the end of September. They then go through the winter in an unheated greenhouse completely dry. I've never seen the point in starting the seeds off early using additional heat apart from giving yourself something to do in the winter.

I'll start by noting that Nick produces some excellent plants from seed. Nevertheless, my approach is quite different
- sow in February in a heated propagator
- prick out all seedlings into individual pots around August (even if still small)
- water all seedlings throughout their first winter
As Nick hints - I'm too busy in May with other things in the greenhouse to be sowing seed then!

Actually, one year, I also sowed some seed in an unheated propagator in April too, as I was given the seed late. By later summer, they had pretty much caught up with the ones started earlier.

So, there's not just one right way to do it.

[el48tel]

Foolishly and in complete ignorance I sowed in September last year. Kept them warm all winter and most are growing well.
I take Ralph's points
- sow in February in a heated propagator
- prick out all seedlings into individual pots around August (even if still small)
- water all seedlings throughout their first winter

I intend pricking out later in the summer because some are getting quite large. I did keep mine sprayed rather than watered during winter

[Echinocactus123]

Thank you all for your kind advice ill try to get them done.

[Eric Williams]

"Watering seedlings through Winter" with heat I presume Ralph ? Cheers

[ralphrmartin]

No, no heat at all. Good light though.