Seed germination

[tegglet]

Hello all, I have a quick question that I have been unable to find the answer to by searching the forum. I have decided to have a go at growing some Mamillaria seed as I couldn’t find the plant for sale anywhere.

I sowed 10 seed using the bag method and so far just over half have germinated. However, two of them seem to have germinated on their side if that makes sense. It looks like a little root is coming out the side. The seed were just gently pressed into the top of the soil so I’m not sure if this is a problem.

Will they sort themselves out or should I intervene? I’m guessing that it’s best not to do anything but I don’t want to lose them either.

Thanks in advance!

[Paul D]

First, congrats on the germinations
The seeds will sort themselves out, don't worry. They sense gravity (geotropism) and roots will grow downwards and shoots upwards.
Good luck with growing them.

[habanerocat]

Just keep them moist until they get settled.
And make sure they are getting enough light at this time of year.

[tegglet]

Thank you! Reassuring to know. I have them in bags on a heated propagator in a big south facing window. I have kept them away from direct sun (not that there’s been much), hoping that the rest of the time the light will be enough. Fingers crossed

[SimonT]

I put a layer of fine gravel (not sand) around the seedlings after germination when they're still in bags.
I wait to do this until it looks like germination has finished.

The gravel discourages moss growth and apparently reduces the risk of damping off. It also gives the chance
to give some extra support/cover roots of any seedlings that are struggling on their own. When the seedlings come out
of the bags then the gravel layer also discourages fungus gnats and even slugs and snails (if they are in your growing environment).

There is a small risk of introducing a pathogen of some sort so if you are new to growing you could perhaps keep this option as a plan B if the
seedlings do not naturally sort themselves out.

[Chris L]

The trick I found with seeds is (up to a point depending on your space) is to go big. I always tried to plant lots of seeds with the expectation that I would always loose a percentage of them.

20% off 10 is 8, 20% off 100 is 80. Having more seeds hides the losses as it were.
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They'll sort themselves out if they want to - and get a chance too (best left alone)....... I mean, what do you do with this?
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[tegglet]

That’s a great picture!