Hi all,
I have managed to buy some Puna seeds this autumn for the next year's sowing. The species are
PUNA bonnieae
PUNA clavarioides (Maihueniopsis)
PUNA subterranea (Cumulopuntia)
PUNA subterranea ssp. pulcherrima (Cumulopuntia)
Any tips or advice you may have from your experience in getting these started? Normal 'cacti' from seed treatment or different approach?
Thanks, Maciej
Puna from seed - any advice?
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Re: Puna from seed - any advice?
Are the seeds big (and beige in colour)?
I reckon they like heath and a lot of patience. I would not be surprised it might take a few months for them to germinate.
I reckon they like heath and a lot of patience. I would not be surprised it might take a few months for them to germinate.
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Re: Puna from seed - any advice?
Or even a few years (several goes).
C. subterranea (and ssp.) is this easiest in my limited experience of these from seed.
Tony Roberts
Treasurer, Haworthia Society
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Kent
(Gasteria, Mammillaria, small Opuntia, Cleistocactus and Sempervivum are my current special interests)
Treasurer, Haworthia Society
Chairman, Tephrocactus Study Group
Moderator, BCSS Forum
Kent
(Gasteria, Mammillaria, small Opuntia, Cleistocactus and Sempervivum are my current special interests)
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Re: Puna from seed - any advice?
Thanks Tony. Any luck with pre-treatment of the seeds? Luckily I am a patient person
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Re: Puna from seed - any advice?
Firstly all four species are easy from cuttings, so you are going the hard way.
I agree with what everyone has said above and you will do well to get one or two to germinate in each pot the first year ( 2021 ) with maybe a few more in each pot the second year ( 2022 ).
The main problem I found was that the first year the seedlings need or can be kept moist, but the second year of their life they like to be a lot dryer, so you end up watering one side of the pot and trying to keep the other side fairly dry, but they do start to grow quite quickly the second year. I have no experience of growing clavarioiodes from seed ( only cuttings ) so this advice only applies to the other three.
Best of luck with the project and keep us informed next summer to how things are going, no pretreatment needed and yes you will need to be patient.
I agree with what everyone has said above and you will do well to get one or two to germinate in each pot the first year ( 2021 ) with maybe a few more in each pot the second year ( 2022 ).
The main problem I found was that the first year the seedlings need or can be kept moist, but the second year of their life they like to be a lot dryer, so you end up watering one side of the pot and trying to keep the other side fairly dry, but they do start to grow quite quickly the second year. I have no experience of growing clavarioiodes from seed ( only cuttings ) so this advice only applies to the other three.
Best of luck with the project and keep us informed next summer to how things are going, no pretreatment needed and yes you will need to be patient.
Ray
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Cactus only collection mainly from seed.
BCSS member 50155
DKG member 311605
Echinocereenfreund member 100
Cactus only collection mainly from seed.
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Re: Puna from seed - any advice?
Thanks Ray. My intention was to get some cuttings this year, but the pandemic made it impossible to attend any events where I was hoping to obtain them. Seeds became the only option.RAYWOODBRIDGE wrote: ↑Wed Nov 25, 2020 1:01 pm Firstly all four species are easy from cuttings, so you are going the hard way.
I agree with what everyone has said above and you will do well to get one or two to germinate in each pot the first year ( 2021 ) with maybe a few more in each pot the second year ( 2022 ).
The main problem I found was that the first year the seedlings need or can be kept moist, but the second year of their life they like to be a lot dryer, so you end up watering one side of the pot and trying to keep the other side fairly dry, but they do start to grow quite quickly the second year. I have no experience of growing clavarioiodes from seed ( only cuttings ) so this advice only applies to the other three.
Best of luck with the project and keep us informed next summer to how things are going, no pretreatment needed and yes you will need to be patient.
I will give it a go and we will see!