Forum home› Plants
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Any tips for sowing cacti / succulent seeds?

greatnorthernexoticgreatnorthernexotic Posts: 119
in Plants
I'm attempting to sow some cacti / succulent seeds for the first time (weingartia kargliana, hamaocactus setispinus, aloe maculata) and was wondering if anyone had tips for growing these plants from seed? Can I use a regular potting mix? Will they germinate in an unheated greenhouse? When, and into what, will they need potting on?
Growing tropical and desert plants outdoors in West Yorkshire
INSTAGRAM/ YOUTUBE

Posts

  • Chris-P-BaconChris-P-Bacon Posts: 943
    I've only grown Agave from seed. 
    I mixed up a very sandy compost mix - just slightly damp. 
    Placed the seeds on top - don't push them in. Cover with fine sand or vermiculite. I covered the tray with a clear plastic lid but propped it open a little at one end for ventilation (very important).
    I then put them on a windowsill out of direct sunlight in a room that's about 20-22C most the time.
    It can take about two months to germinate.
    I sowed eight seeds I bought from a online dealer and all of them germinated...that was 15 years ago...they're starting to overrun my greenhouse now!
    Good luck.
  • JellyfireJellyfire Posts: 1,139
    My youngest grew some cactus from seed, I was a bit sceptical tbh but about 50% are now fully fledged cactus. He used about a 50/50 sand and multipurpose compost mix, in plastic takeaway tubs. Dampened the soil, sowed the seeds on top, put the lids on and popped them on a window sill to germinate. They took a few weeks from memory. Once germinated then remove the lids, keep moist but not wet. This was the tricky bit when about half died, fine line between too damp and too dry. 
    This was about 3 years ago I think from just a mixed packet of seeds from the GC
  • Arthur1Arthur1 Posts: 542
    I've grown cacti from seed a couple of times. Just used a 3 inch pot, normal compost, sunny windowsill. They are not difficult if you've got good quality seed.
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    Lyn over on Youtube has some really good cactus and succulent content.
    You can search through her content for transplanting seedlings etc too.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
Sign In or Register to comment.