Hi Bill,
I have had to dismantled my set-up due to my illness.
It consisted of an insulated 8*6 shed with a silver reflective covering, to reflect the light to give an all round lighting effect.
I had three shelves down each side each to take standard tray end onwards and a standard tray length ways, the shelves were covered with capillary matting which was dampened to provide humidity.
Above each shelf were lighting units either compact or flourescent all the bulbs being full spectrum. Each bulb was independently (or in pairs length ways) switchable. Each bank had sufficient lighting to grow plants as I overwintered discocactus etc but for seed raising most would be switched off. I also did grafting in this setup and always kept Pereskiopsis and some trichocereus active.
I heated the whole shed but only to 12C as it was to simulate cooler night temperatures The lights provide sufficient heat during the day period. I used a 12 hours on and 12 off regime for the lights.
I used seed trays without holes with capillary in each with a insert for sowing I used the 24 cell type with one pack of seed per cell. The inserts do need trimming round the edge to fit a cover. Each is labeled using a small T label with a laminated brother label on each. The trays are then covered with a standard propagating cover
I kept seedlings in this setup for 9 to 12 months depending on growth and each year used two smoke bombs and then washed the whole thing in a strong disinfectant solution
The Astekium hintoni spent 2 years on Pereskiopsis in this setup and was then rooted in dry Seramis in a seed tray insert. I have never failed to get plants to root in this set up and that includes Ariocarpus Tephrocatus and everything (cactus) in between.
If you plan setting something like this up let me know I can help you.
Propagating Units
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!
- Chris43
- BCSS Member
- Posts: 2574
- Joined: 11 Jan 2007
- Branch: HIGH WYCOMBE
- Country: United Kingdom
- Role within the BCSS: Branch Vice Chair
Re: Propagating Units
Mine is much less sophisticated, I'm afraid. Just a home made wooden box with heating cable and thermostat, sized to fit the cover that I bought at Wyevale, and a bit of a Heath Robinson frame for the lights.
[attachment 2264 PICT4889.jpg]
[attachment 2264 PICT4889.jpg]
- Attachments
-
- bAIQAEQ0NDQ4NEg4OEhoRDxEaHxcSEhcfIhcXFxcXIiMbHh0dHhsjIykqLSopIzY2Ozs2NkFBQUFBQUFBQUFBQUFBQQE (58.92 KiB) Viewed 2600 times
Chris, Chinnor, Oxon, UK
Mammillaria enthusiast
BCSS High Wycombe Branch.
http://www.woodedge.me.uk/Home.html
Mammillaria enthusiast
BCSS High Wycombe Branch.
http://www.woodedge.me.uk/Home.html
Re: Propagating Units
Hi Bill,
I forgot to add that the lights are positioned 5cm above the propgator covers.
I forgot to add that the lights are positioned 5cm above the propgator covers.
Re: Propagating Units
Any information welcomed Ralph.
Bob it is indeed something like yours but not the whole building well least wise not for now.
Chris if it works then that's all that counts it's not a beauty show(:D
Bob it is indeed something like yours but not the whole building well least wise not for now.
Chris if it works then that's all that counts it's not a beauty show(:D
_______________________________________________________________________________
Haworthiad Editor
Mainly Haworthia and Gasteria, a few other South African succulents and the odd spiky thing.
Haworthiad Editor
Mainly Haworthia and Gasteria, a few other South African succulents and the odd spiky thing.
Re: Propagating Units
Bill,
If you want to collect the lighting units feel free because otherwise I will dump them.
If you want to collect the lighting units feel free because otherwise I will dump them.
- ralphrmartin
- BCSS Research Committee Chairman
- Posts: 6072
- Joined: 11 Jan 2007
- Branch: None
- Country: United Kingdom
- Role within the BCSS: Chairman - Research
- Location: Pwllheli
- Contact:
Re: Propagating Units
Briefly.
I have a plastic cold frame inside the greenhouse, with some polysyrene sheet as insulation in the bottom, then a layer of sand, a soil warming cable controlled by a thermostat, and more sand on top.
The seeds get sown in pots, and kept in there.
Its under the bench, with NO artificial lighting. I water the seeds/seedlings every day with a sprayer.
if you want to know more, book me for a talk!
I have a plastic cold frame inside the greenhouse, with some polysyrene sheet as insulation in the bottom, then a layer of sand, a soil warming cable controlled by a thermostat, and more sand on top.
The seeds get sown in pots, and kept in there.
Its under the bench, with NO artificial lighting. I water the seeds/seedlings every day with a sprayer.
if you want to know more, book me for a talk!
Ralph Martin
https://www.rrm.me.uk/Cacti/cacti.html
Members visiting the Llyn Peninsula are welcome to visit my collection.
Swaps and sales at https://www.rrm.me.uk/Cacti/forsale.php
My Field Number Database is at https://www.fieldnos.bcss.org.uk
https://www.rrm.me.uk/Cacti/cacti.html
Members visiting the Llyn Peninsula are welcome to visit my collection.
Swaps and sales at https://www.rrm.me.uk/Cacti/forsale.php
My Field Number Database is at https://www.fieldnos.bcss.org.uk
Re: Propagating Units
Hello All
Why do we bag up the pots with seeds? To keep the moist?
Do you remove the bags when you have seedlings or do they stay longer?:S
Why do we bag up the pots with seeds? To keep the moist?
Do you remove the bags when you have seedlings or do they stay longer?:S
Susanne South Wales Branch
-
- BCSS Member
- Posts: 2688
- Joined: 11 Jan 2007
- Branch: CAMBRIDGE
- Country: UK
- Role within the BCSS: Member
- Location: Bromley, Kent
Re: Propagating Units
Susanne
Yes to keep them constantly moist (so that we don't have to spray them everyday!) and to keep the dreaded sciara fly and other bugs away. How long to leave the bag on depends. Most cacti will be happy in there for a while as long as they are getting plenty of light (not direct sunlight, that will cook them).
Yes to keep them constantly moist (so that we don't have to spray them everyday!) and to keep the dreaded sciara fly and other bugs away. How long to leave the bag on depends. Most cacti will be happy in there for a while as long as they are getting plenty of light (not direct sunlight, that will cook them).
David
Bromley Branch
Mainly small Cacti + a few Mesembs.
Bromley Branch
Mainly small Cacti + a few Mesembs.
Re: Propagating Units
Dear David
Thank You! Iam going to bag mine then. I have two Cerei that germinated without bagging. One is from the 8-10 year old Forumseeds that Chris disscussed.
However I sew in about 8 pots and only those two Cerei germinated. I am going to bag the others up next week.
Also I am triing to get some photos in to show them to every body.
Thank You! Iam going to bag mine then. I have two Cerei that germinated without bagging. One is from the 8-10 year old Forumseeds that Chris disscussed.
However I sew in about 8 pots and only those two Cerei germinated. I am going to bag the others up next week.
Also I am triing to get some photos in to show them to every body.
Susanne South Wales Branch
Re: Propagating Units
[quote] Ralph wrote:
I have a talk on seed raising I can give to branches if you want to see how I do it.[/quote]
[quote]Ralph also wrote:
if you want to know more, book me for a talk![/quote]
Hardly in the spirit of the forum, nor does it do much to encourage newbies and for your information, my nearest branch is over a 2hr drive away
I have a talk on seed raising I can give to branches if you want to see how I do it.[/quote]
[quote]Ralph also wrote:
if you want to know more, book me for a talk![/quote]
Hardly in the spirit of the forum, nor does it do much to encourage newbies and for your information, my nearest branch is over a 2hr drive away
_______________________________________________________________________________
Haworthiad Editor
Mainly Haworthia and Gasteria, a few other South African succulents and the odd spiky thing.
Haworthiad Editor
Mainly Haworthia and Gasteria, a few other South African succulents and the odd spiky thing.