Share The Seeds
Gardening Area => Seeds and Germination => Topic started by: Chicsa on May 05, 2015, 02:48:02 AM
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HCC EDIT: TEK is 3 posts below
Hey I've been sent some amazing new seedlings. I'm curious how to raise them.
What kinda watering conditions for how long (i.e keep wet for x amount of time, then let dry and wet on x time frame)
What kind of lighting conditions (i.e. Should be in controlled setting -> shade -> full sun
Thanks cacti wizards :)
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pics of your seedlings would certainly help as some basic info...such as outdoor seedling growing conditions would be much different in Arizona versus lets say Idaho. How big are the seedlings? How big are the pots they're in? have they been sun hardened?
as for watering, that too is a function of climatic conditions, pot size, plant size, potting soil medium etc.
how many cacti die due to lack of water vs how many are drowned from too much watering?
generally speaking i will introduce my seedlings to full morning sun at the 1" stage, moving them from a gh setting. I let the soil in the pots dry out completely, then douche them sopping wet. Sometimes they go a week or two with no water. In hot desert areas 30% shade cloth is advised.
In my garden its survival of the fittest, as with mother nature.
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I'm in West Central Florida, currently in 2" square pots but can move up.
I think some general information in Desert + Tropical regions would be great information for the forum at large, and not just for me. I am about to begin starting several cacti from seeds so any information on the whole process is greatly welcomed.
Thanks :)
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I start the process with a clean plastic tub such as this one
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8761/17384330325_17df76ff73_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/suceKc)
Then a add my choice of potting soil, the best stuff I've found for straight out of the bag use
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8810/17196555358_8479a0974b_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/scAQML)
approximately 2-2.5" deep in the tub
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8796/16764103373_8435781e97_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/rxopT4)
then i mix in warm tap water, 4-5 cups worth to totally saturate the soil
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8861/17176957047_56c00e7b0e_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/saSoTR)
I rough level it & then spray it down really good with distilled water
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7783/16761909554_7fd1786472_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/rxcaJA)
then I add 1/4-3/8" washed plaster sand
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7720/17198235079_2c8a5f37d5_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/scKs7t)
the idea is to completely cover the wet potting soil, creating a barrier to the potting soil which water & roots can penetrate & isolating mold and algae etc from the decomposing forest products in the potting soil. It also prevents the potting soil from drying out too quickly.
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8870/17384159751_8107e02041_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/subn3g)
Then if I'm planting multiple varieties of seeds per tub, I'll cut some plastic strip dividers from an old milk or vinegar bottle
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8802/17358575056_6ddfb34ca3_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/srVeAQ)
then I add the dividers, toss in the seeds, label & date the tags, and then spray things down real good again with distilled water
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7687/17196746698_1fa3128d88_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/scBPEJ)
Then I put the lid on & seal it, creating a nice humidity chamber & put the tub on a heating mat under the lights. I use two each, cheap 2 bulb 4' shop lights with cheap T12 cool white bulbs, although have considered switching out to T5 lighting. Tiny seedlings turn reddish with too much lighting.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7744/16762085454_af7d140aee_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/rxd52m)
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8788/17384629345_64c53d41d3_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/sudLCH)
I run the lights from around 5:30 am to 9:30 pm & the thermostat controlled heating pad stays on all the time, maintaining a soil temp of around 85F.
I'll open the tubs every few days & spray mist with distilled water.
When the seedlings get around this size, I open the lids and let the seedlings start to acclimate to the outdoor air
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8801/17358721816_c745b4da53_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/srVZeb)
when they get around this size, I take them out from under the lights & put them on a table in my gh, which is nothing more than an open air, unheated lean-to type with tinted plastic Suntuff UV coated panels.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5445/16764471933_2bee7f3be7_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/rxqirx)
As can be seen from the pic above, I got in a hurry & didnt add the washed plaster sand and the continuously wet soil in contact with the humid air allows mold & algae to grow, as well as rotting some of the tinier seedlings.
Another important point is not all seeds (or seed sellers) are the same.
I've learned its critically important to separate the live seeds from the dead (un fully developed embryo's) seeds, as this greatly affects germination rates.
I use water separation for all my tricho hybrids, pouring off the 'floaters' as they tend not to germinate, or if they do at not nearly the same rate as the 'sinkers'. I'll repeat the water separation process several times, eliminating all the floaters.
This pic somewhat illustrates that, a batch of 'floaters' is planted on the left side of the tub. Look at the date all three batches were sown.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7764/17177422137_20d01e21eb_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/saUM9D)
1 month old saguaro seedlings hardening off
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7710/17177483097_9a2406c9dc_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/saV6gF)
and not all seedlings of the same batch grow at the same rate
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8739/17197383530_6e7b01d933_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/scF5YA)
I'm fortunate in location in that i can grow seedlings & plants year round outdoors using natural lighting, and only using artificial lighting for some seed germination.
I dont think there's any way to prevent some etiolation from occurring with columnar's under artificial lights; the sooner a person can get them in natural outdoor lighting the better.
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and btw, the next time I get a
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7748/17385114885_c67e0feb1e_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/sugfY6)
I'm effing outta here >:(
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Excellent post thanks for all of this high quality information and photos. I am envious of your whole operation :) very awesome
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Thank you for the write-up misplant! very thorough.
As for the timeout, I'll ask around. I've never seen that one before. I would be really bummed to see you leave.
Hcc
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*BUMP*
Can this be moved to SEEDS & GERMINATION?
Also can be renamed Misplant Tek for others to easily find
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Just to add on here, I was looking for this tek the other day and couldn't find it but it is now reposted on misplants website.
-Ian
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*BUMP*
Can this be moved to SEEDS & GERMINATION?
Also can be renamed Misplant Tek for others to easily find
Done and done.
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Also, I'd like to add that I just did a huge sowing with this method and so far it's been wonderful.
No mold, no algae, no bugs. *knock on wood*
And some tips from another Trich seed grower who uses Misplant's method:
1) don't keep the seedlings sealed up for too long. It's okay to open them to mist with distilled (or otherwise non chlorinated) water after 4 or 5 days. Mist every few days
2) straighten up leaning, upside down, or sideways seedlings by poking a little hole with a toothpick in the sand near the fallen seedling. Use the toothpick to carefully put the seedling upright in the hole
3) Once the majority of the seeds have germinated and you've straightened out the fallen ones, add a thin layer of sand over the top of the roots to help keep them upright.
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Maybe make it a sticky?
This is some really good information that we need to be easily available.
Kudos to misplant!
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I would like to follow this tek to the teeth.
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just a follow up from one of my pics above, the scop x yowie seeding pic which was taken on 5-5-15 & seeds sown on 3-10-15
the first pic was taken on 9-2-15, the second on 4-9-16 and the third on 6-3-16
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when I have the funds i'm going to follow it exactly, Ill also be looking to you for the seeds as well. ;)
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I've had great success with it myself
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Could this work for L.Williamsii?
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Yes. It works great for it.
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Ill have to give it a shot. I tried to germ L Williamsii and L.W var Tex this winter inside with directions from the seed sellers website here in canada. had a heat mat but couldnt get the temps up high enough
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^^ recommend you pre soak the seeds 24 hrs in GA3 for best results
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^^ recommend you pre soak the seeds 24 hrs in GA3 for best results
What concentration of GA3 do you recommend?
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750 is a good starting point
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How ;ongs it take for L williamsii to germ?
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How ;ongs it take for L williamsii to germ?
In an igloo at the North Pole with 100 year old seed?
In a perfect growing environment with fresh viable seed?
With so many variables in play, it could be a few days to a few weeks to a month or more... ;)
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What is this 750 you speak of?
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I believe they are referring to the concentration of GA3 in the soaking solution, the 750 is in PPM or parts per million.
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I have to confess, this tek led me to look after a forest of cactus.
Thanks Misplant
just a small sample :
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Those are sweet. So you dissolve GA3 in rubbing alcohol and let it evap than dilute it with water to 750ppm and soak them 24 hours right? Does any one know or have a connection to super fresh and viable L williamsii seeds?
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I like this TEK except for the sand part. I recently just started sowing directly onto soil. The sand seems to cause problems with them establishing as they get a little bit bigger. I like sowing directly on soil so they have fast access to nutrients. In my mind, bigger seedlings faster means fewer problems as they get older.
For now I'm using:
8 parts potting soil, 1/4" screened to remove big chunks
4 parts coco coir
2 parts perilite, also 1/4" screened
I put the soil in the container, wet it till it's fairly damp but not soggy, sprinkle seeds on top, thoroughly mist with water, cover with saran wrap, T5HO 4x bulbs about 18" away, heating pad (65F nights, 95F days). When i see anything that looks like mold, I mist it directly with 70% Iso-alcohol, the seeds/seedlings don't seem to mind it.
I don't worry so much about uncovering them to mist when I feel like it.
Hcc
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I stopped using sand too. Im using the breadpan tek done by a mutual friend. Ill write it up soon he gave me permision ;)
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Great thread ! Thanks for all of the information i will be starting some seeds next week :)