Success with seed production (hopefully)

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Mike P
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Success with seed production (hopefully)

Post by Mike P »

5B50F839-56BD-4D57-B5E4-C09689F405E5.jpeg
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3FA1963D-9238-488C-A7D9-EBA781DC75B2.jpeg
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So the result of my T geometricus pollination with pollen from a T alexanderi is 63 seeds. It will be interesting to see if they are viable.
Seed pod was quite resilient and I resorted to a pair of nut crackers….
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Re: Success with seed production (hopefully)

Post by Tony R »

(tu) (tu)
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Re: Success with seed production (hopefully)

Post by Mike P »

And this is the pod from the alexanderi.
E8A295A6-7B38-4B71-BF7D-FF0A90FEB607.jpeg
43 seeds from this one.
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Re: Success with seed production (hopefully)

Post by Tony R »

.. so now all you have to do is succeed with germination. :wink:
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Re: Success with seed production (hopefully)

Post by Mike P »

Yes, not overly confident.
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Re: Success with seed production (hopefully)

Post by ralphrmartin »

Time to go to the scrap yard and get an old car battery for some H2SO4, assuming you are licenced, of course :???:
Last edited by ralphrmartin on Sun Apr 10, 2022 4:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Success with seed production (hopefully)

Post by Darren S »

A 24hour soak in 3% Hydrogen peroxide from Boots and then a propagator at 30C worked for me last year. Good luck!
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Re: Success with seed production (hopefully)

Post by ralphrmartin »

Sounds like a safer bet! I'll try that next time I have some opuntiad seed.
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Re: Success with seed production (hopefully)

Post by RJC »

So how do these germinate naturally - abrasion as a result of blowing around, freeze-thaw action, animal ingestion and digestion?
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Re: Success with seed production (hopefully)

Post by MatDz »

Aymeric from ADBLPS once sent me this:
The standard way to germinate Tephrocactus is to put the 10cm pots in a tray full of water so that half of the pot is under water.

Keep the temp around 35°C (I would regard 16°C as too low, 25°C would be better). Strong light is also better (full sun if possible).

When the water is evaporated wait a few weeks and start again after having removed the seedlings (if any !)
Seems like regular flooding and draught with high temps is the way. The note at the very end isn't super comforting, though :mrgreen:
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