Hi from the uk

[phil1984]

Hi everyone, I just got into cactus and starting with opuntia engelmannii. I've just made my soil mix up 2 parts potting compost, 1 part perlite, 1 and a half part pure white silica sand, and 1 part potting grit. I think It looks and feels right? But before I sow my seeds was just wondering do the need scarifying first or will they be ok?? Any help really appreciated [emoji6] thanks in advance.

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[phil1984]

Hi everyone, can any one tell me why the sand is going green in places. Would anyone take top lid off for abit so not so humid?

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[Aiko]

That's algae growing. Have you sterilised the soil by cooking it well before moisturing it for sowing? One should do so, as sterilising the soil will prevent algae to grow on the short run (but eventually will still happen). Opuntia might take a long time (months) for the seeds to germinate. So for that sterilising your soil is really needed.

[rodsmith]

I agree with Aiko's comments. However, I have had seedlings in pots that are covered in green algae without any harm being done to the seedlings. Once the humidity drops the algae will die off (I realise this may be many months away). I've had most problems with damping-off which could be a risk in your case if you haven't sterilised the growing medium.

[phil1984]

I am guilty, I never sterilised my soil before I planted. Will they be ok or should I give up on them now and start some more. As it's the sand I put on top that's going green??

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[Aiko]

Are the seeds in the sand, or below it?

If you can find the seeds back (they are relatively big), I would just take them out, clean them with some water, take some fresh soil, sterelise it and resow the seeds.

[phil1984]

Are the seeds in the sand, or below it?

If you can find the seeds back (they are relatively big), I would just take them out, clean them with some water, take some fresh soil, sterelise it and resow the seeds.

Hi aiko, the seeds are on top of soil just beneith the sand. What soil mix would you use and would you cover with sand like instructions told me to do?? I used 2 parts soil, 1 part potting grit, 1 part silica sand and 1 part perlite!? What would you do?

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[phil1984]

Are the seeds in the sand, or below it?

If you can find the seeds back (they are relatively big), I would just take them out, clean them with some water, take some fresh soil, sterelise it and resow the seeds.

Hi aiko, the seeds are on top of soil just beneith the sand. What soil mix would you use and would you cover with sand like instructions told me to do?? I used 2 parts soil, 1 part potting grit, 1 part silica sand and 1 part perlite!? What would you do?

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Just thought I wrote that in main post lmao [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

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[phil1984]

My new soil mix about to go in microwave. 1 part soil, 1 part sand and one part perlite. I left out grit this time, I think it looks alot better and feels it too! What would any of you guys cover seeds with??

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[Melinda]

Hi everybody I am from UK as well. Have been collecting cacti since teen age My hobby include yoga and cloths design.
Hope to find nice people and a lot of interestig stuff on cacti here.