I posted this photo a few months ago of my Rimacactus laui in flower:
There are some accounts of it being successfully grown from seed, so nothing ventured, nothing gained! Apparently, it exists on almost no water, so something to bear in mind.
I shall keep the rest of the seeds for sowing in spring next year, as insurance.
Presumably, it is self-fertile, I don't think it would have crossed with anything else that was in flower at the same time.
I did tickle a few flowers not expecting any results, but about 6 weeks ago saw some seed pods developing - they are small, black and globular to begin with but not ripe at that stage. About a week or so ago they started to ripen until they looked like this:
So today I have taken them off and opened them and have these seeds:
I suppose there are about 60 seeds there. I'm going to sow some of them on a purely mineral substrate (lapillo), and see what happens! I did germinate ONE seed from a seed supplier many years ago, before I knew just how difficult this species is to grow, and it lasted a few months before dying. Rimacactus laui
Forum rules
For the discussion of topics related to the conservation, cultivation, propagation, exhibition & science of cacti & other succulents only.
Please respect all forum members opinions and if you can't make a civil reply, don't reply!
For the discussion of topics related to the conservation, cultivation, propagation, exhibition & science of cacti & other succulents only.
Please respect all forum members opinions and if you can't make a civil reply, don't reply!
- Diane
- BCSS Member
- Posts: 5574
- https://www.behance.net/kuchnie-warszawa
- Joined: 15 Jun 2007
- Branch: None
- Country: UK
- Role within the BCSS: Member
Rimacactus laui
Diane - member of Kingston branch
Growing cacti - balm to the soul!
Growing cacti - balm to the soul!
- Tina
- BCSS Member
- Posts: 7018
- Joined: 11 Jan 2007
- Branch: NORTHAMPTON & MILTON KEYNES
- Country: England
- Role within the BCSS: Member
- Location: BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
Re: Rimacactus laui
Well done , those are seriously odd shaped pods and for the size of them you don't get many seeds but as its rare then you have done really well, its quite a nice looking plant with the white spines, have you got some grafting stock so you could try a bit of both if you get germination.
Are the seeds quite tough, prone to rot or just not germinating ?
Are the seeds quite tough, prone to rot or just not germinating ?
Tina
varied collection of succulents and cacti but I especially like Euphorbia's, Ariocarpus and variegated agaves.
Bucks, UK
Branch co-ordinator, Northants & MK BCSS https://northants.bcss.org.uk
BCSS Talk team member, contact me- BCSS.Talk@Gmail.com if you want to volunteer or suggest a speaker plz.
varied collection of succulents and cacti but I especially like Euphorbia's, Ariocarpus and variegated agaves.
Bucks, UK
Branch co-ordinator, Northants & MK BCSS https://northants.bcss.org.uk
BCSS Talk team member, contact me- BCSS.Talk@Gmail.com if you want to volunteer or suggest a speaker plz.
- Diane
- BCSS Member
- Posts: 5574
- Joined: 15 Jun 2007
- Branch: None
- Country: UK
- Role within the BCSS: Member
Re: Rimacactus laui
Weird, aren't they Tina? very inflated. Not sure about germination ,but I suppose I'll find out. As I said, I did germinate ONE some years ago, so it will be interesting to find out how these do.
Diane - member of Kingston branch
Growing cacti - balm to the soul!
Growing cacti - balm to the soul!
Re: Rimacactus laui
One of the plant that i hesitate to sow its seeds.
Because as i know its not possible for them to live without grafting.
Anyone has this plant on its own roots?
Because as i know its not possible for them to live without grafting.
Anyone has this plant on its own roots?
Re: Rimacactus laui
I've had very mixed germination results but on at least one occasion got about 50%.
Popped them on pereskiopsis and left them there. Need to regraft soon!
David Lambie
Bristol
Popped them on pereskiopsis and left them there. Need to regraft soon!
David Lambie
Bristol
Re: Rimacactus laui
Fingers crossed Diane
TTcacti - C&S database software - http://www.ttimpact.hr/anttun/
- rodsmith
- BCSS Member
- Posts: 3189
- Joined: 17 Feb 2011
- Branch: STOKE-ON-TRENT
- Country: UK
- Location: Staffordshire, UK
Re: Rimacactus laui
Nice looking plant and fascinating shaped seed pods.
Rod Smith
Growing a mixed collection of cacti & other succulents; mainly smaller species with a current emphasis on lithops & conophytum.
Growing a mixed collection of cacti & other succulents; mainly smaller species with a current emphasis on lithops & conophytum.
- gerald
- BCSS Member
- Posts: 645
- Joined: 28 Jul 2010
- Branch: OXFORD
- Country: UK
- Role within the BCSS: Member
- Location: Watlington
- Contact:
Re: Rimacactus laui
Nice work, my grafted plant flowers every year, I'l try and get some flowers pollinated next year.
If I do get some seeds I'll pass them on to someone more experienced who wants them.
If I do get some seeds I'll pass them on to someone more experienced who wants them.
-
- BCSS Member
- Posts: 273
- Joined: 19 Nov 2008
- Branch: None
- Country: SWEDEN
- Role within the BCSS: Member
- Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Re: Rimacactus laui
I have had resonable germination on two attempts, but all seedlings faded away withing 8 weeks or so :-(
Torbjörn
Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm, Sweden